April 14 at the Hilton Metropole Hotel Birmingham will figure long in the memories of 18 worthy winners at the presentation of this year’s Optician Awards.
Winning an Optician Award has been the highlight of many an optical career and the road to glory starts here. The full list of finalists (see opposite) have been selected following hours of judging and debate by our adjudicating panels. Over 300 entrants set out on the road to win an Optician Award.
The judges were presented with more than 240 completed entries each made up of a 1,000 word statement plus, images, websites, videos, testimonials, pictures and other supporting materials. Judging took place online and at the main judging day in a central London venue last week where 30 senior optical folk gathered to make their deliberations. Optician would like to congratulate all of those who made it through to a shortlist and thank everyone who entered the Awards. Competition was fierce so thanks also go to the judges for giving up their time to help highlight excellence in the optical professions and business.
The presentation ceremony takes place on the Saturday night of the Optrafair weekend in the Monarch Suite of the Hilton Hotel next to the Birmingham show. Our stunning Art Deco trophies will be presented at a glittering black tie evening of entertainment on Saturday, April 14, at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, a short walk from the National Exhibition Centre.
Last year’s host Debra Stephenson
The evening has a ‘movies’ theme starting as guests gather for a drinks reception. The 500 guests expected will then be called through to a sumptuous three course dinner. Diners will be treated to a stunning AV show and the presentation of the trophies will be overseen by a celebrity host. After the trophies have been awarded there will be dancing to a live band and a charity casino. Money raised from the casino and other events throughout the evening will be donated to Optician’s chosen charity for the awards Blind Veterans UK.
The Optician Awards presentation night is a celebration of optics and you do not need to be on a shortlist to attend. To secure your ticket at the event go to www.opticianawards.com.
Optician Awards nominee shortlist 2018
Technology Practice of the Year
Specsavers Morningside
Rifkind and Brophy Optometrists
Black and Lizars, Glasgow Fenwick Road
Hammond and Dummer Opticians
Parley Optometrists
The Family Optician of the Year
Wardale Williams
H&H Eyecare
Edwards & Walker Opticians
Ladybrook Eyewear
Lynne Fernandes Optometrists
Planit Opticians
Children’s Contact Lens Practice of the Year sponsored by Coopervision
Cameron Optometry
Central Vision Opticians
Keith Murphy Opticians
Multiple Practice of the Year
Specsavers South Shields
Boots Opticians Truro
Specsavers Sutton-in-Ashfield
Vision Express Boston
Independent Practice of the Year sponsored by Hoya
Kings Hill Opticians
Vision Optique London
Richard Petrie Optometrist
Keith Murphy Opticians
Nethercott Opticians
Martin Smith Opticians
Fashion Practice of the Year
OP & TOM
Mincher-Lockett & Co Opticians
Spectacle Fashion Ltd
Eyeworks London
Rachel Murray Eyecare
Contact Lens Practice of the Year Award sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Visioncare
Specsavers South Shields
Specsavers Nottingham
Specsavers Holborn
Specsavers Loughborough
The Practice Growth Award, sponsored by A+E+L Markhams
Cameron Optometry
Zacks Eye Clinic
Duncan and Todd Group
Specsavers Cwmbran
Glass and Glass Optometrists
Rawlings Opticians
Lens Product of the Year
Caledonian Optical, ARC Steady
Hoya, En Route
Younger Optical NuPolar Infinite Grey
Shamir, Glacier Achromatic
Nikon, SeeCoat Bright
Essilor, Varilux X Series
Frame of the Year
Eyespace, Longnor
Rolf Spectacles, Capri Flexlock
Gotti, Perspective
Booth & Bruce BB1711
Marchon, Chloe Palma
Walter & Herbert, Taylor Cherry Ember
Optical Supplier of the Year
Scope Ophthalmics
Heidelberg Engineering
Bondeye
Specs4Us
Eyespace
Optos
Contact Lens Product of the Year
CooperVision, Misight
Johnson & Johnson,
Acuvue Oasys 1-Day with HydraLuxe Technology for Astigmatism
Enhanced Optical Service Award
Eye 2 Eye
Specsavers Wembley
Mellis Eyecare
David Burghardt Vision Care
Lynne Fernandes Optometrists
Andrew & Rogers Optometrists
Leader of the Future Award, sponsored by Leightons Opticians
Dilraj Gumber, Specsavers
Jasmine Smith, Aves Optometrists
Karan Vyas, Specsavers
David Tye, Specsavers Nottingham
Paige Furlong, Specsavers Chelmsley Wood
Alison Edwards, BBR Optometry
Optical Assistant Team of the Year
Bainbridge Optometrists
Specsavers Torquay
Specsavers Forfar
Specsavers Teignmouth
Eye 2 Eye Opticians Ltd
David Burghardt Vision Care
Specsavers Chelmsley Wood
Contact Lens Practitioner of the Year sponsored by Alcon
Iain Johnson, locum
Andrew Scott, Andrew & Rogers Optometrists
Indie Grewel, Leighton’s Opticians and Hearing Care
Suzanne Czerwinski, Specsavers Nottingham
Jonathan Stewart, 2020 Opticians
Faye McDearmid, Campbell & McDearmid Optometrists
Dispensing Optician of the Year
Sue Edwards, Martin Smith Opticians
Russell Ham, Specsavers Newport
Sheryl Doe, Allegro Optical
Optometrist of the Year
Michael O’Kane, Specsavers, Morningside
Shamina Asif, Optom Academy, Moores Opticians
Dr Annette Grounds, Patrick and Menzies
Dr Sheeraz Janjua, Janjua Vision
