A message from the BCLA President
"I am excited to be a part of the team that will lead BCLA over the next year. The future is a time of change and taking advantage of opportunities to ensure the BCLA's longevity and enhance our members' scope of practice. The BCLA will continue to offer cutting-edge learning opportunities and a place to exchange ideas. We have a busy year ahead, and my personal wish is that everything we do for our members is collaborative with all stakeholders, prepares them for changes and opportunities, and strengthens the sense of community with love and friendship among our members. I am confident that this year will further strengthen our values."
Rakesh has outlined his vision for an “inclusive and accessible” future as the Association strives to equip its members with the skills and knowledge they need to embrace a period of unprecedented change in optometry.
The experienced optometrist and businessman, who is currently Clinical Performance Consultant for Specsavers, is a joint venture partner in four Specsavers practices in north-west London and is aiming to encourage more eye care practitioners from a background in multiples to join the BCLA and benefit from the world-leading education and networking benefits it offers.
He said: “The core of the BCLA’s membership is made up of specialist independents and we won't move away from that, but we do have to understand that multiples cater for the majority of contact lens supply and fitting in the UK and therefore it's just as important they are aware of what's available to help care for patients and ensure best outcomes.
“Some of the research findings that were presented at the Conference were incredible, with some seriously impressive lectures and workshops, and I want to make sure as many eye care practitioners as possible enjoy the benefits and foresight it provides.
“I'm hoping to bridge the gap between the independents and the multiples and show that you don't need to be of an academic or research background to be a part of the BCLA. It is an inclusive and accessible association that offers something for everyone.
“It’s been a tough couple of years for membership organisations and we have to make sure prospective members fully understand the benefits of signing up and the value they get for their fee.”
“I have been the chair of the BCLA’s membership committee for a few years now, during which time we have bought in the MBCLA affix, which I think has been important. Not everyone has the time to commit to becoming a Fellow and those letters show your dedication to a specialist discipline.
“There’s actually far more to the BCLA than just contact lenses. It has increasingly become an ‘anterior eye’ organisation and that’s something we can really push over the coming year. The training, webinars and certificates we provide for members can really help them keep up to date with the very latest learning and stand out in the field.
“Change in the profession is arguably at its strongest curve any of us have seen in our lifetime, if you don't keep up you're pretty much de-skilled so it’s vital that eye care practitioners give themselves the best possible access to up-to-the-minute research and technology.”
Biography
Rakesh graduated from Aston University in 1991 and spent his pre-reg year working with an independent practice before becoming a locum with Specsavers, eventually opening the firm’s second-ever branch in London. The Wembley store was the first of six he ran and he currently has 60 employees, including a clinical team of 14, across four sites.
He has previously been the representative for London on the College of Optometrists’ council and is a visiting lecturer at Aston University, where he puts his years of experience in the sector to use by teaching business awareness to optometry students.