Interview: Mike Kirkley, managing director of Essilor UK

In the same week Essilor went live with its latest ITV weather advertisement, Optician was invited along to the company’s Gloucestershire headquarters. The rather modest looking facility, opposite a Post Office depot and Kwik Fit branch, now homes what Essilor calls its centre of excellence.

Manufacturing premium lenses including Varilux and Crizal UV, the reception area at Thornbury is decorated with trophies from the Lindberg Academy, Optician Awards and Institute of Customer Services. It has also been named as Essilor’s top performing European lab.

Mike Kirkley has been at the helm in Thornbury for the past five years, and as a staunch Newcastle United fan is well versed in expecting the unexpected. As a major supplier to the optical retail market, Kirkley reiterated Essilor’s support for independents rather than larger retail chains. No less than £5m has been invested in another ITV campaign – this year incorporating Transitions – meaning Essilor and its high street partners will be hoping for a tailwind in 2016.