Proven's track record impressive at Butterworths

Production director George Proven of Butterworths Lenses in Edinburgh has celebrated 50 years of service at the company he joined in July 1955.

Having started as a glazing technician hand-edging glass lenses, he moved to surfacing preparation after six months, the first of many promotions leading to production director, a role still performed today.

Proven's greatest achievement was developing surfacing software that allows Butterworths to individually design lenses to patient prescription and led to the transition to modern surfacing similar to today's methods. In developing the software, he created a surfacing programme for Oakley lenses while part of the Cambridge Group, which retained exclusive manufacturing rights at the time.

The company added that Proven had technical and product knowledge second to none, with advice on all aspects of best-form lenses.

Anthony Martin, managing director, said: 'We congratulate George on his remarkable achievement and contribution towards Butterworths' current success.' George (centre) is pictured with Anthony Martin (left) and former managing director of Butterworths, Harry Gilliat, who returned to present George with a digital camera.