Surrey Association for Visual Impairment, known as SAVI, has announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive.

Bob Hughes will take over as Chief Executive on 1st June 2013. He has experience in the vision loss sector as Chief Executive of the professional organisation representing optometrists and the trade federation representing the large optician providers such as Specsavers and Boots. Prior to that he was previously Member of Parliament for Harrow West.

Announcing his appointment, SAVI Chairman Alan Howell said:

"We look forward to a new and exciting future with Bob. He has wide experience of strategic planning and a relevant background in vision loss issues, notably as a member of the committee that put together the UK Vision Strategy that has become a major influence on government policy towards sight loss and prevention."

Commenting on his appointment, Bob Hughes said:

"I am enormously looking forward to taking the helm at SAVI. Over their 90 years history they have grown into a comprehensive charity able to deliver to those with vision impairment, and I see my job as building on the accomplishments of my predecessor Lance Clarke.

"There is still much to be done before we can say as a society that we are preventing avoidable blindness or providing adequately for the needs of vision impaired people. With our partners in the sector and the County and District Councils, SAVI is well positioned to improve recognition of the issues and to grow service provision across Surrey."

Bob Hughes will take up his post on the retirement of the Current Chief Executive Lance Clarke at the end of May.