Meet the Faces Behind the Frames: Chris the Dispenser

In a previous blog, we introduced you to our wonderful optometrist, Tim. This time, we want to shine a spotlight on our dispensing extraordinaire, Chris, who joined the team in August 2021. Like Tim – whose blog you can read here – Chris is a valued and dedicated member of Respectacle Company.

Chris joined our Market Harborough practice after taking a break from the optical industry during Covid. Before that, he spent most of his working life working for optical stores, including high-street opticians and independent practices. So, Chris has a good overview of the optical industry. He also attended the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) training centre in Kent and studied towards the association’s formal qualifications.

Most recently, Chris enrolled in a course hosted by Hoya, a leading vision care company, to deepen his understanding of short-sightedness (myopia) in children. Chris is passionate about eye care, and he is now better equipped to guide and support our customers who need help managing childhood myopia.

Chris helping a customer choose a new frame.

Chris at work in our Manor Walk practice.

When he’s not working at the Manor Walk store in Market Harborough, Chris enjoys spending time with his beloved dogs, Barney, a collie, and Java, a lurcher cross. The three of them are passionate flyball enthusiasts!

Flyball is a team sport, where two teams of dogs race head-to-head in a relay format, catching a ball and jumping over hurdles. Each dog runs along a track and over four hurdles. They then trigger the release of a ball by hitting a flyball box. Once they catch the ball, they return down the track, over the hurdles and cross a sensory gate to tag the next dog, who then repeats the course. The teams run side by side, and the fastest and cleanest team wins. It’s a fast-paced sport that requires a lot of training and takes up much of Chris’s free time – but he loves it!

Flyball is fun for dog and owners alike.

Chris and Barney.

Flyball is a big sport in the dog world, significant enough to have two separate leagues and multiple divisions across the UK. Chris travels all over the country with his team, the Northants Falcons, competing in their league and working their way up the rankings. This year, the Falcons showcased their skills at the Birmingham International Tattoo in February, and in March, their junior team participated in the 2025 Young Kennel Club Flyball finals at Crufts.

As well as being great exercise for the dogs and their owners, flyball is also a very social pastime. Chris enjoys weekends away, both with team members and other competing teams. It’s quite a jamboree!

When he isn’t travelling around the UK with his dogs and flyball team, Chris loves to cook. But he doesn’t do a lot of cooking because he gets told off about the mess he makes and leaves! After recently watching Bake Off, Chris felt inspired to revisit the kitchen. He completed a few bakes, including a Japanese “jiggly” cake, and a red onion and tomato tarte tatin. The Japanese jiggly cake is a soufflé-style cheesecake with a wobbly, airy texture. Both dishes sound delicious! Perhaps one day, Chris will invite us over for a team dinner. Well, we can only hope!

Chris loves to spend time in the kitchen baking.

Java enjoying one of their many walks.

Chris plans to travel to Oswestry and Anglesey later this year to compete in a flyball competition with his dogs, Java and Barney. He’s also going to be taking a holiday to Wales, which will include a visit to Skokholm Island, a nature reserve in Pembrokeshire, known for its puffin population.

Stay tuned for more blogs about the Respectacle team! Until then, head to the ‘About Us’ section on our website to meet the faces behind the frames.