Hat-trick for Monnow Eyecare at Optometry Wales Awards after major flood destroys practice

The Monmouth practice is facing temporary relocation to Monmouth Business Park after experiencing severe flood damage and the loss of all consulting rooms

3 min read

Four people dressed in formal attire stand smiling in front of a blue backdrop that reads “Committed to eyecare excellence in Wales.” The backdrop is set against a dark background lit with small blue lights. From left to right: a woman in a sparkly suit holding a microphone, a person in a dark red velvet jacket and bow tie, and two men in dark suits. All pose together on a stage under bright event lighting

Optometry Wales

Lucy Miller

11 December 2025

Monnow Eyecare has won three accolades at the Optometry Wales Awards, two weeks after experiencing a flood that caused significant damage to the practice.

The Hakim Group independent practice, on Cinderhill Street, is currently planning a temporary relocation, after the River Monnow burst its banks and flooded the practice on the night of 15 November.

The flood took place whilst owner and director, Helen Tilley, was on an expedition in Antarctica.

It caused significant damage to consulting rooms, although the majority of the practice’s clinical equipment was saved.

The Monnow Eyecare team has worked to maintain continuity of care, meaning the practice remains open for repairs, and for collection of contact lens orders.

The team will move into temporary premises at Monmouth Business Park when permission is granted by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

The temporary location, three-quarters of a mile from Monnow Eyecare’s Cinderhill Street site, is expected to open in early January.

The Optometry Wales Awards, held on 29 November in Cardiff, saw the practice receive accolades for Student of the Year, Optical Assistant of the Year, and Rising Star of the Year – winning every category that it entered.

Emily Taylor, who was recognised for her dedication to clinical excellence and advocacy for people with sight loss, won the Student of the Year award.

Starting in 2024, Taylor was the first trainee optometrist in Wales to take on a hybrid hospital–community pre-registration placement.

Max Horler, who started working at Monnow Eyecare as a Saturday assistant and is now training to be a dispensing optician, was awarded Optical Assistant of the Year.

Horler was recognised for outstanding patient care, professionalism, and displaying a passion for learning.

Adib Missaghi, director and optometrist at Monnow Eyecare, worked seven days a week to lead the practice’s emergency response to the flood when Tilley was unable to return from Antarctica.

Missaghi bought into Monnow Eyecare less than a year after his qualification as an optometrist, and now sits on the Welsh Optical Committee.

Missaghi was named the Rising Star of the Year at the Optometry Wales Awards.

Monnow Eyecare wins big at the Optometry Wales Awards

Three people pose in front of a blue backdrop that reads “Committed to eyecare excellence in Wales.” The woman in the centre, wearing a blue strapless gown, holds a small glass award and smiles. To her left stands a woman in a sparkly black suit holding a microphone, and to her right stands a man in a black tuxedo. All three are dressed formally and smiling under bright event lighting

Optometry Wales

A group of four people dressed in formal evening wear stand in front of a blue event backdrop that reads “Committed to eyecare excellence in Wales.” One person holds a glass award and an envelope, suggesting a presentation or award ceremony. All four are smiling and posing for the photo under soft stage lighting, with small blue lights scattered across the dark background

Optometry Wales

Emily Taylor, Adib Missaghi and Max Horler receiving their accolades at the Optometry Wales Awards on 29 November

Tilley said: “Once again, my team has made me incredibly proud. To win three awards from three nominations is extraordinary, and each win is so richly deserved.

“What Adib has achieved – professionally, clinically, and in leading our practice through the worst crisis we’ve ever faced – shows that Monnow Eyecare will be in exceptionally safe hands for many years to come.”

Tilley added: “This practice is like my fourth child, and seeing the damage has been devastating. But the support from our community, our patients, and our incredible team has been overwhelming.

“We will be back, and we will be stronger. Independent businesses like ours are built on people, and we have some of the very best.”