Speakers

Here is your updated professional biography, incorporating your most impressive milestones, your industry "firsts", and the significant charitable impact of your recent work. Garry Kousoulou FBDO: Visionary Optician, Digital Pioneer, and Community Advocate Garry Kousoulou FBDO is a British optician, entrepreneur, author, and community advocate widely recognised for his expertise in social media and digital marketing within the optical industry. As the founder and managing director of the digital marketing agency lovingsocialmedia, Garry has dedicated his career to ensuring that independent practices remain the heartbeat of the high street. A Legacy of Industry Innovation Garry’s influence on the optical profession is foundational. He was instrumental in the creation of 100% Optical, now the UK's largest optical trade news and exhibition platform. Breaking new ground in professional development, he became the first optician in the world to be awarded CET (Continuing Education and Training) points for social media, formalising the vital link between digital communication and clinical practice. "Healthy Eyes Save Lives" and the LNYDP In 2026, Garry led a landmark campaign at the London New Year’s Day Parade. Under the banner "Healthy Eyes Save Lives," he orchestrated a contingent of 100 eye care professionals and volunteers, including the team from Askew Opticians in Hackney. The initiative was viewed by nearly 3 million people and served as a global platform to raise awareness for the Ridley Eye Foundation and colour deficiency. This monumental effort was not just a public health campaign but a significant charitable milestone, raising in excess of £15,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital and local London charities. The project was a true community collaboration, supported by London Centre Transport and world-class performers from Mi-Soul Radio. Leadership and Recognition Beyond the consulting room, Garry is a respected voice in the wider business community. He currently serves as a lead judge for the prestigious Business Book Awards, specifically as the UK Head of Marketing category lead. This role allows him to mentor and evaluate the sharpest minds in modern marketing, bringing high-level expertise back to the optical sector. Whether he is marching through the streets of London to advocate for eye health or helping an independent practice find its digital voice, Garry’s mission remains the same: to prove that through innovation, diversity, and community spirit, independent opticians can change the world, one eye test at a time. Serving on the Abdo ball twice.