I’ve always been interested in optics, though if we go back to 2008, they were the wall-mounted ones filled with spirits, as I was running pubs back then.
You need to enjoy talking to people when you work in the hospitality industry. Coming from this background has gifted me the ability to chat to people about many different subjects with an equal amount of energy and enthusiasm. And I bring that same energy and enthusiasm to my job as a dispenser. I love meeting new people, and I always aim to make choosing spectacles a pleasurable experience for clients.
I have to wear glasses for a high astigmatism, and as such, I have always had an interest in the designs which were not so readily available. I started my career in the optical world when I was 20 years old. I have spent over a decade working for both a high street optician and then moving to an independent optician for several years.
I’ve known Alison for a few years; we worked together at the aforementioned independent opticians. Since we last worked together, I have obtained a degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing through Canterbury Christ Church University. But I had chosen to take some time out from the optical industry shortly before the pandemic when the world entered into lockdowns.
However, when I saw that Alison was looking for someone to join the close-knit team in Market Harborough, I decided to rejoin the optical world. Since joining Respectacle, I have been happy getting to know the unique and high-quality frames we stock, meeting customers and helping them to choose new spectacles.
In the words of Jessie Mueller in the hit show Waitress, “A dream is a soft place to land”. It resonates with me as since landing at Respectacle, I can say that the position, and the company I get to work with, has been a dream, and I very much look forward to it continuing.
I started my optics journey back in 1989, working as a trainee in one of the large optician chains. After gradually rising through the ranks, I became an Assistant Manager. But I realised that I missed the interaction with clients, so I switched to a role as a Senior Optical Assistant.
I love working in the optical industry. It’s fascinating to see how fashions change and styles make a comeback. To see eyewear styles that were once popular in the 1980s and the early days of my career enjoying a revival is incredible.
Working at Respectacle as a receptionist means I get to meet a wide variety of people. I enjoy choosing frames with clients and seeing them end up with a style which is the correct choice for their requirements.
When the pandemic hit, I decided it was time to focus more on family life. So, I ended my commute to the city centre and working in a busy environment. Fortunately, a role became available at Respectacle, and I jumped at the chance to join the team.
I am an avid reader in my spare time and always have my kindle with me. I’ll read anything and everything, from crime thrillers to historical romances. I also enjoy walking, particularly in Derbyshire or the Lake District. Whilst in lockdown, I taught myself to crochet and have found it relaxing and a great stress buster. Gardening has also become an activity that I enjoy. I plant while my husband waters!
My career move to Respectacle has been a lovely transition, and I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life with my new work family.
Eyewear has been part of my world for as long as I can remember. Over the years, I’ve worked closely with independent practices across the Midlands, supporting teams, helping patients feel cared for, and learning what truly makes a practice special: genuine connection, attention to detail, and a commitment to doing things properly.
My optics journey began long before joining Respectacle Company. As an FBDO‑qualified dispensing optician, I’ve spent more than a decade immersed in the independent optical sector – helping practices grow, supporting staff development, and ensuring patients always feel listened to and understood. Those experiences shaped my belief that independent opticians offer something unique: personal care that can’t be replicated.
That belief is what led me to Market Harborough and ultimately to succeeding Alison as owner of Respectacle Company. My goal isn’t to change what people already love about the practice, but to build on it and help it flourish. I’m committed to maintaining the warm, welcoming environment our patients value, while introducing thoughtful improvements, new eyewear collections, and technology that enhances care without losing the human touch.
I want every patient to leave feeling confident in their vision, comfortable in their choices, and genuinely cared for – because great eyecare should always feel personal.
Outside of work, I enjoy playing golf and spending time with family and friends. As a husband and father of two, family life keeps me grounded and reminds me of the importance of community, connection, and creating a practice where people feel genuinely welcome.
Many of our customers will know me from years of sight testing and visits to the practice in Manor Walk. I first became interested in optics when my brother opened a new practice in our hometown of Rugby in Warwickshire. I helped out in the reception and loved repairing the old NHS frames which were still available in the 1970s and ’80s.
Working in my brother’s practice inspired me to pursue a career in optometry. I went on to qualify as an optometrist in 1983-4, after studying at Aston University in Birmingham and Brighton. I started working in Market Harborough in 1984 and I must say I have enjoyed nearly every minute.
I’ve been working in the optometry profession for a good number of years and I am really excited about the newer developments in ophthalmic instrumentation. Most notably the possibilities and benefits of Optical Coherence Tomography technology and our new OCT machine. With new developments and new technology, it’s an exciting time to be involved in the industry.
Some of our clients will know that I am also interested in many and varied hobbies. In my spare time, I enjoy wood-turning and carving, hill walking, gardening, and nature conservation.
I’ve been an optometrist for over 20 years, and throughout that time my focus has always been on providing thoughtful, personalised care to every patient I see. My experience spans both primary and secondary care, including low vision, post-operative and paediatric clinics, allowing me to support a wide range of visual needs with confidence and care.
Since joining Respectacle Company, it quickly became clear that the team shares a genuine respect for both patients and one another. The warm, supportive environment was evident even before my first day, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of such a kind, enthusiastic, and professional team.
Early in my career, I learned British Sign Language (BSL) as an additional way to communicate, achieving Level 1 certification. I can still conduct a basic sight test in BSL, and it is incredibly rewarding to see patients with hearing loss leave feeling reassured, understood, and more confident after an eye exam delivered in a language that works for them.
I am also proud to volunteer with British Blind Sport, where I am trained as a classifier, helping to ensure fair competition for visually impaired and severely sight-impaired athletes. Supporting people to get the most from their vision is something I find incredibly rewarding, whether that’s discussing low vision support or helping you find the perfect pair of glasses for the padel court.
Alongside my clinical work, I’ve always been interested in research and education. I completed a Master’s in Philosophy in 2018, exploring visual symptoms associated with ME/CFS, and I continue to stay involved in academia, with aspirations to begin lecturing in the future.
Outside of work, you’ll usually find me walking, spending time in the garden, or indulging my creative side by making silver jewellery.
I continue to stay up to date with developments in optometry through ongoing CPD. In fact, it was at a CPD event that I first met Alison – a serendipitous encounter that I’ll always be grateful for, as it ultimately led me to join this wonderful practice.
