Optrafair Interview: Ryan Leighton, CEO of Leightons Opticians & Hearing Care

Andrew McClean: How was business at Leightons Opticians & Hearing Care in 2019?

Ryan Leighton: It was a year of ups and downs. Navigating the external environment conditions was challenging. Overall, we managed to post some healthy organic growth for Leightons Opticians & Hearing Care. The focus throughout 2019 was very much about staff learning and development, via our academy and through a series of structured conferences. The Hearing Care Partnership (THCP) grew steadily and we now proudly serve about 120 optometry practices with our audiology service.

AM: What are your business plans for the next 12 months?

RL: At Leightons, the big focus will once again be on investing in our people. We have developed and launched a new online learner management system called Leightons Learning Suite (LLS), which will be blended with face-to-face learning and development via our 16-module academy. In addition to this, we will run a series of specific subject matter training events. Our team is busy developing 92 bitesize learning modules that will be added to the LLS over the course of 2020. It’s about constant improvement and progressive development.