Gavin Berkerey has been appointed as the ABDO’s first ever communications and engagement director. He heads up a five-strong team across marketing, comms and membership, and reports to ABDO chief executive Alistair Bridge.
Berkerey is part of the organisation’s senior leadership team and is responsible for its membership and communications functions, as well as overseeing the communications and marketing activity of ABDO College.
The newly created position reflects ABDO’s “commitment to strengthening engagement and raising awareness of the expertise and value that dispensing opticians bring to eyecare”, according to the trade body.
Berkerey has joined from the British Plastics Federation, where he was head of marketing. Prior to that he spent almost a decade at the Royal Society of Medicine, where he was head of membership and marketing.
In his new role at ABDO, which started last month, the initial priorities include developing recognition for the profession to encourage people to become opticians, and to elevate its profile.
“I’m looking forward to working with the talented teams at ABDO and ABDO College to deepen member engagement, strengthen communications and marketing, and help shape the future for dispensing opticians,” Berkerey said.
And Bridge commented: “Gavin brings a wealth of experience to this important new role. His fresh thinking and ideas will be invaluable as we work to enhance our engagement with members, highlighting their expertise and the excellent patient care they provide, as well as promote the extensive educational opportunities provided by ABDO College.”