Neale Pugh, managing director of Leightons Opticians, has resigned to join Specsavers in Australia as a development director for its first stores in the state of Victoria.
Pugh has headed the family-owned Leightons business for the past 12 years and he will be replaced by the current professional services director Sue Cockayne.
In a statement Leighton's chairman, Richard Leighton said: 'Neale is returning to his native Australia to take up a new position there. I would like to publicly thank Neale for his significant contribution to the company.'
Leighton confirmed the appointment of Cockayne adding: 'Sue Cockayne, who has worked alongside Neale as professional services director, will be taking on the role of managing director from March 1.'
Pugh refused to comment on his appointment, but a spokesperson for Specsavers confirmed Pugh would be 'joining the company as state development director to help advance our retail expansion in Australia. He is expected to relocate to Victoria in March to take up his new position'.
Specsavers' long-awaited Australian expansion will start in the state of Victoria where the firm has located its headquarters and distribution centre. Expansion will be rolled out state by state from then on. Specsavers is expecting to open between 200 and 250 stores in the next three years.
Leightons was founded 80 years ago by HO Leighton in Southampton, the current chairman's father. It currently has branches in 35 towns across south and south-east England.