Jeremy Chadwick has been named the managing director for VSP Vision Care
in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.— VSP Vision Care will expand its eyecare offerings to the United Kingdom, doing business as VSP Neighbourhood Eyecare, which is in line with previous expansion into Australia and Canada under the same name. Jeremy Chadwick has been named the managing director for VSP Vision Care in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He will oversee VSP’s expansion into the U.K. and will be responsible for the growth in this new market. His background includes extensive insurance experience in the U.K. and European marketplace across multiple distribution channels and customer segments.

VSP is partnering with the U.K.’s Association of Optometrists (AOP), consisting of more than 13,500 members; the U.K.’s largest purchasing group for independent opticians, National Eyecare Group (NEG); the U.K. branch of Italy’s Assicurazioni General S.p.A. insurance provider, Generali U.K.; and Thomsons Online Benefits, which specializes in helping companies around the world run their employee benefits programs. These strategic alliances will focus on developing awareness of the importance of eye examinations and corrective eyewear as an employer-sponsored program for employees, the company said.

“The AOP is working closely with VSP to ensure VSP develops its business with full awareness of the issues impacting independent optometric practices, the dynamics affecting profitability, and the delivery of patient care,” said Lyndon Taylor, AOP chairman. “AOP and VSP will establish a user group for participating practices to enable members of the VSP Neighbourhood Eyecare network to provide feedback and share ideas.”

“We strongly believe this is a great opportunity for NEG members to promote their services to a wider patient base and attract patients with guaranteed spending power,” said Philip Mullins, director of business development, National Eyecare Group.

“VSP and Thomsons Online Benefits have several large clients in common who have employees in both the U.S. and the U.K., which means we need to be able to deliver a multi-national service offering through our Darwin platform,” said Brenden Mielke, product director, Thomsons Online Benefits. “VSP provides an eyecare solution that supports our clients’ strategic aim to deliver a valuable, competitive and engaging benefit program.”

“VSP is a large international company, and we’re excited to be part of their expansion in the U.K. as well as other countries around the world,” said Marco Giacomelli, COO, Generali Employee Benefits. “We believe there is a great deal of value and market appeal in their approach.”

“VSP Neighbourhood Eyecare will benefit both optometrists and members,” said Pat McNeil, corporate communications director, VSP Global. “Optometrists will gain access to new patients while benefiting from both ease of payment and cutting-edge online benefit technology. Patients will have the convenience of visiting an optometrist in their own neighborhood with personalized care and a focus on eye health. It’s a win-win.”