David Moulsdale is Chairman and Chief Executive of The Optical Express Group. He founded the group in 1990 and the business is now a global leader in refractive surgery.
Over the last 33 years Optical Express has grown to operate in over 120 ophthalmology clinics. Headquartered in Cumbernauld, Glasgow. The group currently operates in Croatia, Germany, Ireland and the UK.
Since entering the refractive surgery market in October 2002, David has recruited and developed an experienced leadership team to deliver world-class clinical outcomes and an exceptional quality of patient care. Several of the world’s key opinion leaders and pioneering Ophthalmologists have been instrumental members of the Optical Express International Medical Advisory Board (IMAB) as special advisors since 2005. His team of ever growing experienced refractive surgeons have also performed more than 2,000,000 procedures worldwide.
David is passionate about charitable endeavours, having donated over £33 million to date to worthwhile causes in the UK and internationally. He has donated over £270,000 to ‘Race Against Dementia’, the global charity set up by his great friend, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE. This programme actively seeks out early-career scientists with innovative research proposals and supports new approaches to better understanding the prevention and treatment of the diseases which cause dementia.
The Optical Express Group is involved in charity campaigns such as the ‘Thanks a Million’ campaign, which saw a donation of over £1 million worth of laser eye surgery to NHS and emergency service workers. A second ‘Thanks a Million’ campaign is underway where a further £1 million of life-changing vision correction procedures will be donated in 2023.
David Moulsdale received the Scottish Business Achievement Award Trust (SBAAT) award from Princess Anne, The Princess Royal and the Scottish Entrepreneur of the Year award in 1998.
The Optical Express Group was a winner in The Sunday Times/Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 awards for revenue, employee and profit 3 years’ annual compound growth, and in 2005, David became a Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Stirling, along with Sir Jackie.
Whilst leading the delivery of expert clinical care for patients, David is passionate about minimising the environmental impact of the eye care sector, dedicating his efforts to ensuring that Optical Express is driving the decarbonisation of the ophthalmic industry. As well as several practical initiatives such as providing recycling services for contact lenses and glasses, he is encouraging and doing everything he can to persuade the other global leaders of the ophthalmology industry to do the same.
Optical Express aims to educate glasses and contact lens wearers, and the wider ophthalmic industry about the impact of their vision correction choices and the sustainable alternatives available, such as laser eye and lens replacement surgery. David Moulsdale’s aim is for laser eye and lens replacement surgery to become the number one vision correction solution of the future and is proud to pioneer a new, more sustainable direction for the ophthalmic industry. Only time will tell if he is successful in his passion and ambition.