PLEASANTON, Calif.—CooperVision, Inc. announced today that eye health industry veteran Guy Whittaker has been appointed vice president, global marketing. He will be responsible for advancing the company’s master and product brands, marketing its comprehensive range of contact lens products and services, and strengthening its reputation worldwide in collaboration with its customers, according to the company.

Whittaker, a former practicing optometrist, has held management roles with CooperVision since 1998. Most recently he was general manager, Australia/New Zealand & Southeast Asia, and vice president, strategy, Asia-Pacific, where he stimulated company and customer growth substantially above market rates. Prior, he held positions as vice president, marketing, Asia-Pacific; director of global marketing with responsibility for the launch of the Biofinity brand; and director of European marketing.

Earlier in his career, he led European Professional Services for the former Essilor and Ocular Sciences organizations, since acquired by CooperVision. He was also at the heart of significant growth at contact lens practices in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and helped establish the first laser refractive surgery center in Scotland.

“With CooperVision continuing to outpace market growth, and as we further expand the world’s broadest range of soft contact lens products and services, it’s critical that we have leaders who embrace what’s needed to make the most of this momentum,” said Andrew Sedgwick, executive vice president of commercial strategy and business development, CooperVision. “Guy’s success in our high growth Asia-Pacific markets, coupled with his understanding as an optometrist about how to best partner with our customers, will be advantageous to CooperVision and the entire industry.”

Whittaker is based at CooperVision’s headquarters here. He was named to the role following the recent promotion of his predecessor, Jerry Warner, to president, North America.