The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers brought a successful 2023 to a close with the admission of nine new Liverymen at its December Court Lunch.
This year’s focus is on multi-disciplinary working, so it is no surprise that those invited to the highest level of membership represented a wide range of backgrounds and professions, covering charity, low vision and sight loss, education, ophthalmology, business management, manufacturing, optometry and entrepreneurship.
Tim Clover and Cary Dawes, CEO and CSEO (respectively) of Rayner, accepted the invitation to Livery together. Rayner became the company's first Gold Corporate Supporter earlier this year. Tim has led multiple private healthcare enterprises, providing medical devices and ophthalmic services globally. Cary has a personal connection with the intraocular lens company, as it was founded by his great grandfather Jean-Baptiste Reiner – and several members of his family were spectacle makers in past generations. Like the Spectacle Makers, Rayner is rooted in history, the founders having helped Sir Harold Ridley design the first intraocular lens in 1949. They remain the only UK manufacturer of IOLs and are committed to a global mission of vision care, supplying more than 80 countries around the world.
Imran Hakim, founder and CEO of The Hakim Group, and Luke Wren, Head of Business Development, also continue their journey as spectacle makers together, after they became Freemen at 100% Optical last February. The Hakim Group have confirmed that they will be Gold supporters of the company from April, having been one of the first groups to sign up for the pilot corporate supporter scheme at Silver level over two years ago. Imran and Luke were delighted to join the many practice owners in the Hakim Group who have supported the company individually as Freemen and Liverymen for many years.
Lisa Donaldson trained as an optometrist and specialises in eyecare for children and adults with learning disabilities. She teaches at City, University of London as well as her principal role as Head of Eye Care and Vision at the charity SeeAbility.
Dr Elizabeth Graham is a retired medical ophthalmologist who pioneered the Medical Eye unit at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and is an expert in the ocular aspects of HIV. She is also a Trustee of Retina UK.
Professor Chris Hammond is the Frost Professor of Ophthalmology at King's College London, an internationally-renowned research expert on eye disease in twins and genetic causes of myopia, glaucoma and cataract, and a consultant surgeon at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital.
Caroline Hall is a qualifications consultant and was the company’s Responsible Officer during its time as an Ofqual-registered examination awarding body.
Finally, the Clerk, Helen Perkins, was clothed as an Honorary Liveryman in recognition of her work for the company.
From left to right, Tim Clover, Imran Hakim, Luke Wren, Caroline Hall, Helen Perkins (the Clerk), Liz Shilling (the Master), Dr Elizabeth Graham, Professor Chris Hammond, Lisa Donaldson, Cary Dawes. All smiling widely and wearing their new Livery badges.
The Company also announced that Keith Valentine, CEO of Fight for Sight, has joined its governing court. The Master, Liz Shilling, noted particularly Keith’s experience as a strategic leader and known force in delivering change, particularly when it comes to highlighting key issues affecting people with eye conditions. Keith joined the company in December 2017, moving up to the Livery in 2019, and has been an active member of the company’s think tank of CEOs and organisational leaders, discussing ways of working together for the public good.
Court Assistant Keith Valentine dressed in an official gown, shortly after taking office.
The Master Spectacle Maker, Liz Shilling, commented: “The Company is not just a historic organisation. It is a living, thriving body. Admitting a new Court Assistant and nine new Liverymen made it a very special day and there was a fantastic atmosphere in the room. We are the only City of London Livery company dedicated to better eye health but even more importantly we are a group of people who believe in better eye health. By bringing people together from such a wide range of backgrounds and professions we know that the message of better vision for all can reach many different communities.”
