Deliberations have taken place, discussions concluded and scorecards compared to select the shortlists in the 2015 Optician Awards.
Last Friday Optician hosted a mass meeting of presiding panels of four judges for each of the practice and people awards. Later that day the results of the product awards were also finalised as judges from around the country added their input to the process.
In all finalists have been appointed across 17 categories. Those shortlisted will be contacted and invited to the Optician Award pre-event drinks reception at central London’s Jewel Bar in Piccadilly on March 3. Here they will learn more about what to expect on the Awards presentation evening and take time to network with their fellow shortlistees, sponsors and judges.
The presentation evening itself takes place on April 18 in the Hilton Metropole Hotel on the Saturday night of the Optrafair weekend (April 18-20). The 1920s-themed black tie evening will start with a drinks reception before the 500 guests move through to a three-course dinner. Over dinner they will be treated to a stunning audio visual show and entertainment. After dinner the celebrity host will entertain guests before moving on to the presentation of the trophies.
Once the trophies have been presented guests can play the charity casino or continue dancing into the small hours. This year chosen charity is Blind Veterans UK which is celebrating its centenary and all of the proceeds from the charity will be donated BVUK.
Optician would like to extend a massive thank you to all of those who entered the Awards. WE offer our commiserations to those who didn’t make it to the shortlist and congratulate all those who did. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the Awards night itself. The Optician Awards night is open to anyone who wants to attend and tickets can be purchased through www.opticianawards.com.
THE SHORTLISTS IN FULL
Contact Lenses for Life Award (Teens), sponsored by Johnson and Johnson
David Burghardt Vision Care
The Eye Studio
Buchanan Optometrists
McGonigle Opticians
Contact Lens Practitioner of the Year, sponsored by Alcon
Specsavers Chelmsley Wood (Nigel Monk)
Icontact Ltd (Nick Howard)
Cameron Optometry
Leightons Opticians (Indie Grewal)
Specsavers Nottingham (Suzanne Czerwinski)
Contact Lens Product of the Year
Clearlab (Clearday Beyond)
CooperVision (Biofinity XR Sphere)
mark'ennovy Personalized Care (Gentle 80)
Alcon Eyecare Ltd (AIR OPTIX COLORS)
Menicon/David Thomas Contact Lenses (Miru 1 Day)
Johnson & Johnson Vision Care (1-Day Acuvue Define)
Dispensing Optician of the Year, sponsored by Essilor
Serendipity Consulting (James Dawson)
Mondottica (Alistair Barrett)
Barnaby's Opticians (Louise Barrington)
Specsavers Nottingham (Luke Smith)
Tompkins, Knight and Son Optometrists (Andrew Oliver)
Enhanced Service Award, supported by Birmingham Optical and its technology partner Nidek
Matheson Optometrists
Valli Opticians
BBR Optometry Ltd
Leyland Opticians
Family Optician of the Year
Curtis Opticians
Hammond and Dummer Opticians
Walford and Round Opticians
Keith Holland & Associates
Bowen Opticians
Fashion Practice of the Year
Leightons Opticians
Gregory & Seeley Eyewear
Bespoke Eyewear
Observatory the Opticians, Muswell Hill
Eyeworks London
Frame of the Year
William Morris London (BL105)
Kirk & Kirk (Vivarium Curie Bordeaux)
Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses (Norum)
Specs4us (Erin's World)
Mondottica (Hinge Technology)
Independent Practice of the Year, sponsored by Hoya
Valli Opticians
Gregory & Seeley Eyewear
G T Harvey and Partners
Buchanan Optometrists
Taank Optometrists
Lens Product of the Year
Younger Optics Europe (Camber Technology)
Shamir (Shamir Attitude III)
Essilor Ltd (Transitions Signature VII Graphite Green)
HOYA Lens UK (Sensity)
Multiple Practice of the Year
Specsavers Sutton-in-Ashfield
Dan 1 Optics Ltd (t/a Boots Opticians Keighley)
Leightons Opticians, Farnham
Optical Assistant Team of the Year
Specsavers Sutton-in-Ashfield
Edmonds and Slatter Opticians
Woodhouse Opticians
Millington Dawson Optometrists
Curtis Opticians
Boots Opticians, Wolverhampton
Optical Supplier of the Year
Opticabase
PK National Eyecare Group Ltd
24/7 Uptime Ltd
BBGR
Eyespace
Optometrist of the Year, sponsored by CooperVision
Martin Smith Opticians (Dr Martin Richard Smith)
Judith Roberts Opticians (Austin Roberts)
Lynne Fernandes Optometrists (Lynne Fernandes)
McCrystal Opticians (Noel McCrystal)
Observatory the Opticians (William Norman)
Software Practice of the Year, sponsored by Ocuco
Parley Optometrists
Peter Ivins Eye Care
David Burghardt Vision Care
Buchanan Optometrists
Technology Practice of the Year, Sponsored by Grafton Optical and its Technology partner Visionix
Christopher Nixon Optometrists
Specsavers Opticians, Edinburgh
Williams Optometrists
Peter Ivins Eye Care
Window Display of the Year, sponsored by Luxottica
Goatman & Batham
Observatory the Opticians, Muswell Hill
M Procter Opticians