ABDO, the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians (FODO) and the Federation of Manufacturing Opticians (FMO) have announced plans to sell their joint London headquarters as part of modernising operations.
The three associations are to switch to remote working and flexible onsite offices across the UK on a long-term basis.
Tony Garrett, ABDO general secretary, said: “199 has been a great joint venture between the sector’s leading optical bodies, but the Covid pandemic means we are bringing forward our plans to work differently beyond the traditional London headquarters model. We will all continue to work closely together as we move to new ways of working through and beyond the pandemic.”
Harjit Sandhu, managing director FODO, said: “We have had longstanding plans to work in a more agile way while representing providers across the UK and Ireland. This new operating model will allow us maximum flexibility to meet the needs of members in the years ahead, including remote working and using office space across the UK and Ireland.”
Stuart Burn, chair FMO, added: “With all our organisations shifting to remote working and making use of locations outside London, now is the right time to rethink the London HQ model. We will continue to work closely with ABDO and FODO and use the ABDO National Resource Centre in Birmingham, which is available for the profession to use for bigger occasions.”