Several hundred colleagues from across the business recently attended the Optical Express Vision 2020 roadshow which visited seven locations across the UK and Ireland – Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, London and Dublin.
The aim of the Vision 2020 roadshow was to review highlights of 2019 and set out the company’s focus for 2020.
Clinical Services Director at Optical Express, Stephen Hannan led the team of speakers which included Paul Clark, recently appointed for the role of Director of Performance and Service Delivery at Optical Express, Sondra Black, Head of Professional Strategy at Johnson & Johnson, and Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Optical Express, Heather Suttie.
The guest speakers spoke passionately about Optical Express’s commitment to becoming the world’s most socially and environmentally conscious eye care provider and how we will deliver on the company’s objectives in the coming year.
Stephen Hannan spoke of the company’s commitment to continuing to invest in learning and development, including offering every optometrist the opportunity to become qualified in Independent Prescribing via our partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University. This year, we will continue to invest in our clinics and technology. We have already committed six-figure investments in Johnson & Johnson technology.
Paul Clark, joined Optical Express from the NHS and most recently, BMI. He talked about his new role and what he hopes to achieve in 2020.
Sondra Black from Johnson & Johnson presented research findings on the safety of wearing glasses in patients over the age of 65 along with an introduction into the new, innovative eye care technologies which are soon to be available to patients at Optical Express.
Care is at the heart of everything we do at Optical Express and this extends to our commitment in supporting local communities and charitable organisations. Last year, colleagues raised tens of thousands of pounds for local and national charities, including Scotland’s STV Children’s Appeal . This is in addition to scores of local causes supported by more than 120 clinics throughout the UK and Ireland and our office functions where we fundraise on a monthly basis.
The company also supported Race Against Dementia, the global charity founded by former Formula 1 racing legend, Sir Jackie Stewart with the inaugural Race Against Dementia Gala Dinner, being held in November at 200 SVS in Glasgow. A celebration of the lifetime achievements of Sir Jackie and his wife Lady Helen, who were the guests of honour, was attended by 180 prestigious guests including Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.
Optical Express raised £100,000 to help beat dementia. David Moulsdale, CEO and Founder of Optical Express, said: “I’m hugely proud that Optical Express is able to support Race Against Dementia’s collaborative, innovative approach to tackling this devastating illness”. Moulsdale added “Sir Jackie’s leadership on this issue is inspiring and it’s a privilege to be involved in this work. Moulsdale also said “At Optical Express we’re also in talks with the brilliant dementia research team at the University of Edinburgh about a collaboration regarding a predictive index for dementia using clinical data. This could lead to real breakthroughs in our understanding of the disease.”
Other highlights included almost 80 members of staff taking part in Restart A Heart Day, learning the life-saving skills of CPR.
Our Thanks a Million campaign will see Optical Express donate £1 million worth of laser eye surgery to NHS and emergency service workers. The initiative followed a national survey commissioned by Optical Express, which found that people who dedicate their lives to public service 'are most deserving of our thanks'.
And a team from Optical Express also took part in the company’s first ever beach clean, in support of the UK’s leading marine charity, the Marine Conservation Society of which Optical Express is a member.
There was cause for celebration as twenty colleagues from across the business were also presented with their 10 year-long service award.
You can view some of our corporate social responsibility highlights in this video.
There is much to be excited about in 2020 as we continue on our journey to become the world’s most socially and environmentally conscious eye care provider and we are hugely excited about all the initiatives we have planned.
Read more on our Corporate Social Responsibility