Essilor has appointed Kumuda Setty as New Zealand sales and marketing manager.

Setty, who is well-known to the New Zealand market, has more than 25 years’ experience in commercial roles, including eight as Essilor NZ’s marketing manager. This newly-created role gives Setty responsibility for both the sales and marketing sides of the company’s product lines, including professional services training and the prescription safety glasses division. Setty takes over the sales side from business manager Chris Aldous, who has left Essilor to pursue a role outside the optical industry.

Essilor NZ’s customer base can expect to see immediate, positive changes as the company implements a more coordinated approach to match the expectations of the local eye care professionals it supplies, said Setty.

Pierre Longerna, CEO, Essilor ANZ, said the new structure will allow greater cross-functional integration. “This is a very exciting time to be working in this industry and we are really pleased with our new sales team structure with Kumuda, Vineet, Guy, Bruce and Gordon who have a good understanding of the New Zealand market. They have experience in meeting the needs of our many independent optometrists and they will work closely with our New Zealand operations team, headed by Chandra Setty, to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted service.”

Essilor NZ is expected to announce further appointments in the near future as it expands its sales and marketing and is currently recruiting a new general manager to support Kumuda and Chandra.