Macclesfield optometrist receives Judy Lea Award for Early Career Excellence

A University of Plymouth graduate who first started working at Specsavers Macclesfield at the age of 15 has received the accolade

2 min read

Specsavers

Selina Powell

27 October 2025

Optometrist, Rachel Warrington, has become the first recipient of the Judy Lea Award for Early Career Excellence.

The Macclesfield-based optometrist received the accolade from Specsavers founders Doug Perkins CBE and Dame Mary Perkins at the Specsavers Professional Advancement Conference on 14 September.

The award honours Judy Lea, who was the head of optometry development at Specsavers and died in a road accident in March this year.

Dame Mary paid tribute to the legacy of Lea.

“Judy was a deeply respected and much-loved optometrist whose career spanned more than three decades,” she said.

“Her passion for education and mentorship means her legacy lives on through the countless optometrists she coached and inspired. Her influence continues to elevate the standard of eye care across the UK, and her memory is honoured through this award, which reflects the values she held dear: compassion, excellence, and a passion for helping others grow,” she said.

Warrington first began working at Specsavers Macclesfield at the age of 15 and qualified as an optometrist from the University of Plymouth in 2022.

She shared that receiving the award came as a “complete surprise” as her director put her forward without telling her.

“I feel incredibly privileged to be the first recipient of this award for early career excellence. It felt very special and exceptionally moving to receive the award from Judy’s family, in her memory,” Warrington said.

She said that alongside a supportive team, she values the variety within her role as an optometrist.

“There was a day in my pre-registration year where I tested a two-year-old and a 92-year-old in back-to-back appointments. This kind of diversity keeps the role dynamic and rewarding,” Warrington highlighted.

Looking ahead, Warrington is keen to embark on further qualifications, such as independent prescribing.

“I want to contribute to a future where optometrists are recognised as the first point of contact for eye care, reflecting the full extent of our clinical capability,” she said.