No train, no gain

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He started out in optics as a management trainee at Norville in his home city of Gloucester 35 years ago, straight from school and immediately undertook the SMC Tech training, involving regular trips to London. This was the first in a number of courses that have tied in with the roles he was undertaking in optics. There followed a professional qualification from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply when he was responsible for frame and lens purchasing as procurement director at Norville, and when appointed managing director at Seiko Optical seven years ago he became an accredited chartered director, awarded by the Institute of Directors (IoD). In spite of the IoD having 50,000 members, he is just one of 1,000 UK company directors to hold the accredited title, having passed additional exams and sat in front of a selection panel. 'I was driven because as a director of a company you have to ask what it means in legal requirements and how you contribute to the company. I decided to become a director and to do it properly, it's really very helpful.'