MEET THE INCOMING SECRETARY GENERAL

The ECU Executive Council is pleased to announce the appointment of  Ann Blackmore as ECU Secretary General when Ian Beesley steps down on 30 November.  Ann comes to the ECU after five years as director of policy and strategy at the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians in the United Kingdom and Secretary of the Public Affairs and Economic Committee of the European Council of Optometry and Optics. Her previous experience includes head of media and public affairs at the Electoral Commission and 13 years at the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, latterly as Head of campaigns and communications.

Commenting on her appointment, ECU President Vasileios Gkolfinopoulos said, “In a strong field of candidates Ann impressed the selection panel with her enthusiasm and experience in what can be achieved when the nations of Europe pull together in support of evidence-based healthcare. The ECU has come a long way under the discreet  guidance of our Secretary General of the past five years and I confidently look forward to continuing that development with Ann alongside the ECU leadership.”

Ann herself added, “What really excites me about this new opportunity is working with an organisation that promotes a distinct European voice in a worldwide profession engaged in the fight against a prevalent cause of misery and economic loss.”