The Vision Foundation is delighted to announce that Huntly Taylor, Master of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, has agreed to become an honorary Vice President of the charity.
Vice Presidents of the Vision Foundation not only share our vision, but also use their profile and expertise to further our mission of raising awareness of the issues facing the sight loss community and how these can be addressed.
With this appointment we are cementing a new relationship for years to come, as subsequent Masters of the Worshipful Company will also have the opportunity to take on the role of Vice President.
Huntly qualified as a Dispensing Optician in 1971 and was a founding director of the Eyecare Information Service (now the Eyecare Trust). With years of service on the Council of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians and as previous Chairman at ABDO College, which trains dispensing opticians, Huntly brings a wealth of expertise and experience.
Very proud to be clothed as of the Livery in 1996, Huntly has served on the Spectacle Makers’ Court since 2010. He was one of the founder Trustees for The Spectacle Makers’ Charity which makes grants to charities helping blind and partially sighted people both here and overseas and funds bursaries for new students starting optical diploma and degree courses in the UK.
On his recent appointment, Huntly said:
“I am honoured to become a Vice President of the Vision Foundation. Founded almost 400 years ago in the City of London with a mission to support better vision for all, the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers has much in common with the Vision Foundation. We share joint aims of increasing awareness and maximising the very valuable contribution that visually impaired people can, and do, make within the life of London. I look forward to working together and increasing engagement with people from all aspects of the vision and sight loss sectors.”
Olivia Curno, the Vision Foundation’s Chief Executive said:
“It is my great pleasure to welcome Huntly Taylor as a Vice President at the Vision Foundation. His expertise and dedication to vision, and the Company’s efforts to bring people together across vision care and the sight loss community, will bring great insights to the charity and help us to strengthen relationships in the City and across London. Forging this relationship with the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers is a monumental step forward that will only help blind and partially sighted people now and for the years to come.”
The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers has already demonstrated its interest and commitment to the Vision Foundation’s work. We feel this is just the beginning of the impact that we can make. Together, we can drive the changes needed to ensure a better future for London’s sight loss community – a future where blind and partially sighted people are equal citizens and our capital becomes a shining example of a sight loss-aware city.
By accepting this role with the Vision Foundation, the Master will be joining our long-standing Vice Presidents the Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH, Lady Frances Petchey, Cherie Blair CBE, QC, Sir Rocco Forte and Sir Trevor McDonald. We are also very grateful to receive the royal patronage of HRH the Countess of Wessex.
