Specsavers Clinical New Talent programme welcomes first participants

A new programme to develop future optical leaders has welcomed its first participants.

Specsavers’ Clinical New Talent programme, which will see high-flyers within the profession benefiting from placements, personal development plans and mentoring, began in the summer.

Five participants were welcomed onto the 18-month programme, which is being carried out both virtually and in-person.

The goal is to develop the clinical, commercial and leadership skills that will enable clinicians to successfully face the industry’s challenges and opportunities, both now and in the future.

Participants must have been registered with the General Optical Council for between three and seven years to be considered for inclusion.

Those taking part include Specsavers colleagues, but also those who have joined the multiple from other optical businesses.

Bryony Allen, an optometrist who is part of the professional services team at Specsavers, called the programme “an opportunity to expand my knowledge and have a positive influence at a national level within the optical sector.”

Clinical services director at Specsavers, Giles Edmonds, said: “Developing our clinical talent is of critical importance, not just to Specsavers but for the optometry profession as a whole. The Specsavers Clinical New Talent programme has been specially designed to equip participants with the skills, knowledge and experience to become future leaders at Specsavers and the wider industry.

“It is heartening to see that the value of the programme has been recognised with incredible high-flyers joining it, both from outside and within Specsavers.”

He added: “We believe our talent and CPD programmes across different roles and functions assist in providing trained and externally accredited colleagues to deliver for patients and our partners, such as the NHS.”

Lead image: optometrist Bryony Allen, who is taking part in the programme