Welcome to People on the move – October 2025, 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 Myles Hume for consideration at myles.hume@primecreative.com.au.
Sujan Hong – Alcon
Ms Sujan Hong has been appointed advanced surgical glaucoma trainer for Australia and New Zealand. She previously served as surgical glaucoma specialist overseeing surgeon training and sales in Southern New South Wales. Her new role will include surgeon training and sales support across New Zealand. She brings a diverse background to the role, including her previous position at Alcon Vision Care as professional education and development manager, where she led training programs for optometrists and allied health professionals in dry eye management and contact lenses. Her career also includes experience in IT management, adding a unique dimension to her skill set. In addition to her professional responsibilities, Hong has recently taken on the role of president of the Cornea & Contact Lens Society of Australia NSW Chapter for 2026.
David Williamson – Vision Australia
The Vision Australia board has announced Mr David Williamson as the new CEO for the organisation. Williamson was recently chief operating officer of Villa Maria Catholic Homes, and has leadership experience across the disability, aged care, and health sectors. He started his career as an occupational therapist, which the board said it believes will help him understand the practicalities of Vision Australia’s service delivery model, engage with frontline service providers, and ensure our clients continue to receive the high quality services they deserve. Williamson will commence the role on 20 October and will be based at the organisation’s Melbourne headquarters.
Dr Cindy Tromans – World Council of Optometry
Dr Cindy Tromans from the United Kingdom was formally installed as president of the World Council of Optometry (WCO) during WCO’s 2025 Virtual General Assembly on 30 September. This transition marks the conclusion of her term as president-elect, a position to which she was elected in July 2023, and the beginning of her leadership as WCO president. Dr Sandra Block (WCO president 2023-2025) will continue to serve on the WCO board of directors for the next two years as the immediate past president.
Gerry Wang – Optos
Optos has welcomed Mr Gerry Wang as account manager for New South Wales. Drawing on his background as an optometrist, Wang brings unique insight into the everyday needs of practitioners. He is passionate about the difference Optos makes in practice and is committed to helping eyecare professionals adopt ultra widefield imaging that improves workflow, supports clinical confidence, and enhances patient care.
Nicholas Tran – People Who Care
Mr Nicholas Tran has been appointed to People Who Care, a not-for-profit organisation providing in-home care services, as a board advisor, as part of the clinical care and governance committee, where he brings his expertise to the home care and NDIS sectors. An optometrist with more than five years of experience across regional and metro Australia, Tran’s diverse background includes independent, corporate, community and public hospital settings. In addition to this, he has experience with professional body, sporting organisations, and university affiliated committees.
Dr Michelle Bradney – Cerulea Clinical Trials
Cerulea Clinical Trials has appointed senior pharmaceutical and biotechnology executive Dr Michelle Bradney as its new CEO. Dr Bradney, who begins her role on 20 October, brings more than two decades of experience in medical affairs and clinical development across global pharmaceutical companies and ASX-listed biotechnology firms. She joins Cerulea from OccuRx, where she served as chief operating officer. She has extensive ophthalmic clinical trials experience through senior roles at Allergan, where she led clinical monitoring operations. Dr Bradney also holds governance roles in the life sciences sector, including as a board observer with Medicines Australia and a member of the Women on Boards Naomi Simson syndicate. Cerulea Clinical Trials is a specialist ophthalmic clinical trials centre fully owned not-for-profit subsidiary of the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA).
Simon Koutoukidis – Safilo
Mr Simon Koutoukidis has joined Safilo as territory sales manager for Victoria East. Koutoukidis brings strong experience across the optical industry, with a background spanning sales, operations and leadership. His understanding of both the commercial and clinical aspects of the eyecare sector ensure that he can provide meaningful support to Safilo customers and help drive sustainable business growth. In his new role, Koutoukidis will represent the Carrera, Boss, Polaroid, Carolina Herrera, Smith Rx and Under Armour brands across the Victorian East territory.
Dr Shivesh Varma – Inner East Eye Surgeons
Inner East Eye Surgeons in Melbourne continues to build its team, welcoming Dr Shivesh Varma to the practice. A vitreoretinal surgeon, specialising in repair of retinal detachment, macular hole, epiretinal membrane and retinovascular disorders, complex cataract surgery, Dr Varma joins Dr Jonathan Kam, Dr Nicholas Cheng and Dr Lingwei William Tao at the practice.
