12 February 2019

NCHA ANNOUNCES CHANGES IN RESPONSE TO GROWING DEMAND

In response to growing demand for its services the National Community Hearing Association (NCHA), which is part of the FODO Group of Companies, has announced a new operating structure, including appointing Harjit Sandhu as its first-ever Managing Director.

Harjit, who was previously Director of Policy and Strategy at the NCHA, will now run the NCHA and three other FODO businesses, becoming the Group MD. David Hewlett, previously the Group Chief Executive, will move sideways to become Group Director for Leadership, Transformation and Strategic Partnerships. The NCHA has also announced Peter Ormerod as its new Chair, who takes over from Mark Georgevic.

Harjit Sandhu said: “I am passionate about tackling unmet hearing needs in the UK and have put on record that, given the weight of evidence, we now have an ethical obligation to make that happen. I also believe that audiologists are at the heart of realising that vision, and with our new structure we have a unique opportunity to bring even more expertise into the sector and achieve our goals. I look forward to this next chapter of working with our members, all audiologists and other stakeholders to make change happen.”

David Hewlett, NCHA said: “Since we set up the NCHA at the end of 2013 we have gone from strength to strength, fought for hearing care for all and are now the leading voice for UK audiology on health policy and commissioning matters. I am tremendously proud of what we have achieved to date, and would like especially to thank Mark Georgevic our first Chair who has been a fantastic leader through challenging times. The NCHA enters its sixth year with Peter Ormerod as its new Chair. Peter’s experience of the hearing sector is unrivalled and will be invaluable to the NCHA and the sector in the years ahead. Our new structure will allow us to be more agile in standing up for hearing services and offering an even more tailored support package to audiologists and audiology providers in 2019 and beyond”.

Mark Georgevic, past Chair, said: “Five years ago the NCHA was established to provide a strong voice for UK hearing care and to support the sector deliver better hearing for all. There is no doubt that the NCHA has proven to be a great success, especially for patients. I am delighted with all that we have achieved during my time as Chair, and as the NCHA enters its sixth year with Peter Ormerod as its new Chair, and Harjit and David’s unwavering commitment to better hearing for all, the best years lie ahead”.

Peter Ormerod, NCHA Chair, said: “I have been involved in the hearing sector since 1984 and have seen many opportunities to address unmet hearing needs and transform audiology for the public benefit missed. The NCHA with its expertise in health policy and strategy is changing that, and this is one of the most exciting times to be involved in hearing care. I look forward to working with sector partners and all stakeholders to ensure we tackle unmet hearing needs and avert the public health crisis that unsupported hearing loss represents”.

End

Notes to Editors

Harjit Sandhu is an experienced health policy strategist, and as Director of Policy and Strategy helped to establish the National Community Hearing Association as the leading voice for community audiology providers in the UK. He holds an MSc in Health Economics, Policy and Management from the London School of Economics and started his career as an optometrist.

David Hewlett has held senior roles in the Department of Health and NHS (including as Director of NHS Commissioning, NHS Hospitals, GP Fundholding and Performance Management) and more recently was CEO at FODO (2005-2019) and NCHA (2013-2019). He is a leading health policy expert and strategist.

Peter Ormerod has been a Registered Hearing Aid Dispenser for over 30 years. He has extensive experience in the provision of NHS and private hearing care.  He started his career in an independent practice and developed this into a national hearing care company. He was Chairman and Chief Executive of Boots Hearing Care, served as a Panel Member on the HCPC, Council Member of the Hearing Aid Council, and the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists. He is also a founding member of the NCHA.

Mark Georgevic was the NCHA’s inaugural Chairman 2013-2018. He is a qualified solicitor, Hearing Aid Dispenser, an active member of the hearing community with extensive experience in the provision of NHS and private hearing care, and is a founding member of the NCHA. Mark’s previous roles include being President of the BSHAA and a Council Member at the Hearing Aid Council. He is currently a member of the NCHA Board and Legal Director of Scrivens Opticians and Hearing Care.

The FODO Group of Companies comprises: FODO, the National Community Hearing Association (NCHA) and FODO Ireland as well as a network of significant ophthalmology providers.  The NCHA has an independent Board within the FODO Group which focusses on audiology matters.  You can read more about the NCHA here https://the-ncha.com/about-us/