Face to face judging returned to the Optician Awards this year as more than 60 judges dissected and deliberated over the 220-plus entries for our 18 categories at a meeting in the heart of the capital.
Recent years have seen a move towards more online judging but this year the panels for each of the categories backed up their online judging. By popular request the judging panels also met in person late last month to discuss their decisions on who should make the shortlists. A full run down of their decision can be seen opposite and full details of the event can be found at www.opticianawards.co.uk .
One category which had already been deliberated over was The Outstanding Achievement Award sponsored by Topcon. The judges in this category convened in early September to discuss the dozen individuals being considered for this accolade. In a move from the traditional shortlisting process the judges agreed on the recipient whose name will be announced on the evening of November 22 at the Awards presentation ceremony. No shortlist will be published in this category.
Elsewhere the Awards have gone from strength to strength with over 40 entries to the Independent Practice of the Year Award sponsored by Hoya. CooperVision continued its support for two categories: the Myopia Award and the Contact Lens Practice of the Year. Specsavers switched its support to the Enhanced Optical Service Award while Ocuco continued to sponsor the Optical Assistant Team trophy. Practices saw support from Optix in the Technology Practice Award, Marcolin in the Fashion Practice Award and Scope the Multiple Practice Award. Practitioners are supported by SpaMedica in the Optometrist of the Year Award and ASDA Opticians in the Dispensing Optician of the Year Award.
Categories for all types of product and suppliers are also up for grabs with the Contact Lens Award being sponsored by the British Contact Lens Association.
Around 500 guests will gather at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s Park Lane for the presentation ceremony on the evening of November 22. The evening will feature a drinks reception, dinner, a stunning AV show, presentation of the trophies and dancing into the night to a live band. There will be other entertainment and recruitment experts, Vivid Optical, will also be sponsoring entertainment so watch this pace for details.
Proceedings will be overseen by a celebrity host in an evening recognised at the social highlight of the optical year. You don’t have to be a sponsor or on the shortlist to attend so why not book your seat by logging on to www.opticianawards.co.uk.
Optician Awards 2024 – Roll of Honour
Contact Lens Practice of the Year sponsored by CooperVision
- Bainbridge Bespoke Opticians
- Johnson and Leatherbarrow Opticians
- Specsavers, Derby
- Specsavers, Haverfordwest
Technology Practice of the Year sponsored by Optix
- Central Vision Opticians
- Classic Eyes Eye Care Centre
- Jacksons Styling Opticians
- Safarian and Simon Opticians
Fashion Practice of the Year sponsored by Marcolin
- Dickens Eye Clinic
- Norma Davies Opticians
- The Optical Gallery
- Rae & Rae Opticians
Social Media Practice of the Year
- CBTR Opticians
- The Spectacle Shop
- Yorkshire Eyewear
- Loxley Opticians and Eyewear
The Sustainability Award
- Contamac
- Eyespace Eyewear
- Pearce & Blackmore Opticians
- Woodhouse Opticians
The Myopia Management Award sponsored by CooperVision
- Central Vision Opticians
- Lynne Fernandes Optometrists
- Deven Lakhani, Hammond Opticians
- Tompkins, Knight & Son Optometrists
Enhanced Optical Service Award sponsored by Specsavers
- Monnow Eyecare
- Parley Optometrists
- Safarian and Simon Opticians
The Lens Award
- Carl Zeiss Vision
- Hoya Lens
- Jai Kudo Lenses
- Optimum Rx Group
The Frame Award
- Exeter Eyewear, SEEcreatures Eyewear
- l.a.Eyeworks, Bucatini
- Rolf Eyewear, Charlston
- Waterhaul
The Contact Lens Award sponsored by the BCLA
- Positive Impact, VTI-NaturalVue
- Ultravision, KeraSoft AV
The Technology Award
- I-FocusXperience London
- Jai Kudo Lenses
- Tokai
Optical Supplier Award
- Adaro Optics
- The Body Doctor
- Inspiring Success
- Retail Experience Design
- Scope Eyecare
Dispensing Optician of the Year sponsored by ASDA Opticians
- Susan Edwards, Martin Smith Opticians
- Martyn Howlett, SeeAbility
- Daniel Jackson, The Spec Shop University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire
- Emma Robinson, Specsavers, Wellingborough
Optometrist of the Year sponsored by SpaMedica
- Dr. Amritpreet Basra, Edwards & Walker Opticians
- Gerard Fernandes, Lynne Fernandes Optometrists
- Peter Greedy, petergreedy.com
- Michael O'Kane, Specsavers Morningside and Cameron Toll
- Piyus Tanna, Inspiring Success, Menicon and Vision Express
Optical Assistant Team of the Year sponsored by Ocuco
- David Burghardt Vision Care
- Dipple & Conway Opticians & Audiologists
- The Optical People
- Specsavers, Antrim
- Specsavers, Ludlow
Multiple Practice of the Year sponsored by Scope
- Boots Opticians, Cheadle
- Specsavers, Buckingham
- Specsavers, Newport - City Centre
- Specsavers, Northampton
- Vision Express, Blanchardstown Dublin
Independent Practice of the Year sponsored by Hoya
- CBTR Opticians
- Monnow Eyecare
- The Optical Gallery
- Pearce & Blackmore Opticians
- Rawlings Opticians & Hearing Care
- Wood Street Optical
The Outstanding Achievement Award sponsored by Topcon
- To be announced at the presentation ceremony on November 22
