What makes a winner?

“It’s all about teamwork”

“You have to be dedicated to looking after your patients. But it’s also all about teamwork – you must have a good team around you or you are going to struggle.” 

Dilesh Makwana, Eyesite Eyecare Centre, Newly Qualified Optometrist of the Year

“Enjoy what you do”

“You need to be compassionate and understanding with your patients. Get to know them and the community that you work within well, and spread the word about the importance of eye health. Enjoy what you do and believe in it.”

Prabhjit Boparai, Prab Boparai Opticians, Optometrist of the Year

“Be passionate”

“You need to be passionate about what you do. It also takes a lot of hard work and dedication.”

Sophie Johnson, Eyesite Opticians, Dispensing Optician of the Year

“A desire to keep on going”

“Sometimes you get successes and sometimes you don’t, and if you don’t, it’s about knowing how to convert them into a success. It’s that tenacity that keeps you going because you keep winning. It’s a pleasure to do my job and to be honest, I don’t find it difficult. It’s a very rewarding job.”

Suresh Munyal, Eyesite Eyecare Centre, Contact Lens Practitioner of the Year

“Think differently”

“I think you need individuality and to think outside the box. I also think you need a massive amount of team work and that is probably the most important thing – you have to work together and achieve it together.”

Anjana Taank, Taank Optometrists, Practice of the Year

“A lot of hard work and perseverance”

“You need to be prepared to work hard and persevere while keeping your eye on the prize.”

Paul Wright, See Belfast, Charity of the Year

“Doing what you believe in is really important"

“When you see something that you think is not right, you should be able to get up and do something about it. But what is really important is that you achieve what you want to achieve and don’t be shy – if you have a view, go and express it.”

Bob Chappell, Lifetime Achievement Award