Over his 35 year career with Boots Opticians, Nigel has enjoyed a number of different roles, including his current position running his own store as an established and well-regarded member of the local community. We asked him all about his career to date and the reasons he’s stayed with Boots Opticians.
Tell us about your career journey with Boots Opticians?
I started my career with Boots Opticians in 1988 as a Pre-Registration Optometrist, qualifying in 1989. I worked for a couple of years in both mobile and practice-based roles, and in the early 1990’s was given the opportunity to manage the practice in Leamington Spa. This was at a time when combining the role of Optometrist and Manager was relatively rare in the multiples.
How have you been able to develop and progress throughout your career?
Through the variety of roles that the initial Practice Manager appointment gave me. Over the following decades, I have had opportunities to manage single, multisite and regional locations as well as working with the wider Boots UK group management teams. In those roles, the clinical understanding was key in communicating both with the Support Office and management teams, and with the colleagues in practices.
What do you enjoy most about working for Boots Opticians?
Celebrating our successes, both as a business and for individuals. I have had the pleasure of attending a number of Boots Best of the Best annual recognition events after nominations for both personal and team performances. Carrying away a trophy is special, as is seeing and hearing about the amazing things our colleagues do in helping patients and raising money for good causes. It is an annual event that is one of the highlights in the Boots calendar. For all colleagues, long service is recognised and last summer I was rewarded for my 35 years with Boots!
Tell us about the impact that you have made during your career at Boots Opticians
Hopefully, throughout my career with Boots Opticians, I have helped and assisted in the development of many colleagues – either directly as their Pre-reg Supervisor or as their manager or indirectly via the business relationships formed over the years. The profession has changed beyond recognition since I qualified many years ago, but I am confident Boots Opticians will continue to put their customers at the heart of what we do.
How do you make a difference in your role as an optometrist?
I hope to bring high energy and positivity to the workplace and in my interactions with people every day. It is such a joy to meet patients from different walks of life. I truly value my job and am grateful to work in such a supportive environment. Everyone here brings a unique quality and strength to the workplace, and I am lucky enough to be a part of this.
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