ProVision chair Mr Ian Bluntish has stepped aside from the role after 13 years, with the independent optometry network announcing Ms Rowena Beckenham as his successor.
The organisation’s board met on Monday 21 November when Beckenham, of Beckenham Optometrist in Avalon Beach, NSW, was unanimously elected as chair by the directors.
Bluntish will remain on the board, alongside Beckenham (chair), Ms Bernie Eastwood, Mr Brett Jenkinson, Mr Andrew Koch and Ms Leah Meulendjiks.
In a letter to members, Beckenham said Bluntish advised the board some time ago that he wasn’t intending to stand for re-election as chair for a further term.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ian for his extraordinary service to ProVision and to the board, of which he has been a member for 15 years including his stewardship as chairman for 13 years,” she said.
“Over this time, ProVision has undergone many changes and faced many challenges. Our members’ needs have varied as the profession and the business environment in which we operate has changed, and during all of this, the organisation has continued to mature and has indeed become bigger and stronger.”
She continued: “We owe Ian a debt of gratitude for the time and effort that he has contributed in so many ways; he has become a well-known and a respected leader within the profession.”
Beckenham said ProVision had benefited from Bluntish’s knowledge, leadership, management, and strategic skills developed through his many roles within the profession, including the national presidency of Optometry Australia, as well as president of the South Australian division.
In other prominent roles, he was chair of the industry regulator, the Optometry Board of Australia, for six years (2015-2021) and is the principal optometrist at his private practice, Holdfastbay Optometry.
“I know that Ian will miss his involvement at this level of intensity with ProVision, but he believes in the importance of planning succession and continuing to seek new and different personal challenges,” Beckenham said.
“His skills and experience, however, will not be lost to the board as he plans to remain as a director for the time being, and I and the other directors look forward to his help and assistance for quite some time.”
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