OSA welcomes new chair

Roy Stoner (left) welcomes James Conway as the new OSA chair

James Conway has succeeded Roy Stoner has chair of the Optical Suppliers Association (OSA).

A longstanding OSA director, James took over the role as Roy completed his three-year tenure.

The official handover took place at the OSA’s AGM and Christmas lunch, held at the Bloomsbury Hotel in London.

Speaking to colleagues and invited guests, Roy said: “We have made great strides and are in a positive and good position to move forward. The OSA is a terrific trade body which has strong links throughout the optical community – both here and abroad with EUROM 1.

“The launch of Opticare Innovations last year has enormous potential and is already working on initiatives which will move the whole optical community forward to drive innovation and discussion, with the careful integration of AI.”

James paid tribute to Roy, “whose connections and insight to the broader optical community have been such as asset”.

He said: “Roy is an absolute legend and has been fantastic for the OSA. We now have 61 member companies across the spectrum of optical supply. The broader OSA Board has hundreds of years of combined optical experience, plus the benefit of past OSA Board members to call upon; it is an unrivalled resource for any business.

ABDO CEO, Alistair Bridge (far left), with James Conway and OSA members and guests

“I have been in the optical business for 26 years and am so looking forward to this role and to continue my journey in optics, supporting those around me,” James added.

James Conway leads the Millmead Optical Group and will be supported by vice chair, Jayne Abel, CEO of Eyespace.

The OSA AGM provided members with an update on:

• Market Insights – which is expected to become a valuable resource in 2026, and a long-awaited means of predicting market demand for existing and new developments
• The White Paper on Standardisation and Validation of Remote Technologies, due to be peer reviewed in 2026
• The DICOM collaboration being led by Opticare Innovations to facilitate an integrated NHS care pathway for High Street practices and hospital eye departments
• Discussions regarding closer relationships with other optical bodies
• The OSA Green Charter’s five levels of accreditation, now being rolled out across the optical community of suppliers and practices

In the spirit of the season, the OSA made Christmas donations to England and Wales Blind Golf and to Vision Care, previously known as Vision Care for Homeless People.