Students from City & Islington College’s Centre for Applied Sciences have received a visit from Specsavers founders Doug and Dame Mary Perkins.
The visit was an opportunity to thank Dame Mary for her donation of a brand new Essilor edger for its workshop. The college said this would allow its ophthalmic dispensing students to gain valuable practical glazing experience, which would often be hard to find elsewhere.
Dame Mary, pictured with course lecturer Peter Dobson, was given a tour of the building and facilities and an opportunity to see some lessons. Final year students were treated to an inspiring talk as she recounted the multiple’s early days and offered them insight into starting and running a successful optical business.
Dame Mary also gave an overview of the history of optics, comparing how business was run in the past to its current position. Using the recent Foresight Report, she looked at challenges to the profession and the future role of dispensing opticians.