Welcome to People on the move – January 2026, Insight’s monthly bulletin to keep the Australian ophthalmic sector updated on new appointments and personnel changes.
If you’d like to tell the industry about a new person in your company, practice, or clinic, please send the person’s name, position, image and a short description about their role to editor Rob Mitchell for consideration at rob.mitchell@primecreative.com.au.
Allyson Caffell – Optical Dispensers Australia
Allyson Caffell has been promoted to chairperson of Optical Dispensers Australia advisory board, succeeding Paul Clarke who has retired. Caffell has been part of the optometry industry since 1998, bringing over two decades of experience in optical dispensing and small business management. In 2013, she earned her Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing, reinforcing her expertise in the field. That same year, she ventured into small business ownership, opening Northam Optical in WA. Read Insight’s profile on Allyson.
Nicola Zotta – VSP Vision
VSP Vision has announced the appointment of Nicola Zotta as president of eyewear and managing director of both Marchon Eyewear and Marcolin. The appointment follows VSP Vision’s acquisition of Marcolin last month, with Zotta set to lead the integration of Marchon and Marcolin, both global leaders in eyewear design, manufacturing and distribution. Reporting to VSP Vision president and CEO Michael Guyette, Zotta returns to the company after serving as CEO of Artsana Group since 2022. An eyewear industry veteran, he was president of Marchon from 2016 to 2022 and first joined the company in 2009 as vice president and managing director of EMEA and APAC. Prior to this, Zotta held a range of senior roles with Safilo for more than a decade. Zotta succeeds Fabrizio Curci, who has stepped down after serving as CEO and general manager of Marcolin since June 2020. Curci will continue in an advisory role over the coming months to support the transition.
Mark Nevin – Optometry Australia
Optometry Australia (OA) has appointed Mark Nevin as CEO, following the departure of Skye Cappuccio. Nevin has held executive leadership positions across multiple peak bodies, including CEO of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, the Australasian Institute of Digital Health, Cancer Council Australia and, most recently, Lifestart Disability Services. His career has spanned governance, system redesign, regulatory affairs and the adoption of new clinical and digital technologies. Nevin began his professional life as an optometrist in Ireland and the UK. He later oversaw policy and strategy for three UK optometry bodies and served on the executive committee of the European Council of Optometry and Optics.
