Hereford optometrist Alison Edwards has been shortlisted in the prestigious Optician Awards 2018.

Alison, who works for BBR Optometry in St Owen Street, Hereford as well as sessions in the Victoria Eye Unit has been shortlisted for the Leader of the Future Award by Optician magazine, the industry’s main trade publication that hosts the awards.

Seen as the Oscars of the optometry world in the UK, Alison will find out if she has won the coveted title at a gala ceremony in Birmingham in April.

“We’re very proud of Alison. We were all so pleased to hear that she’d been shortlisted for what is a new section in the Optician Awards, recognising aspiring practitioners who are likely to make an impact in the optometry world in the years to come,” said Nick Rumney, a director, and optometrist at BBR Optometry.

“Alison is our newest optometrist and is already making an impact helping our clients, as well as working with a range of vision specialists at local and regional hospitals. She is one of the youngest optometrists in the country to have amassed such a range of skills and experience and is a showcase for how optometry will develop in the future. She fully reflects our vision of optometry ”

Alison specialises in medical retina and contact lenses and is currently studying to become an independent prescriber.

“It’s a great honour to have been shortlisted for the Leader of the Future Award. I know I will be among other finalists who are at an early stage in their career and want to do all they can to develop and enhance the profession and techniques that we apply for the benefit of customers and patients,” said Alison.

“It’s also great to be putting BBR Optometry and Hereford on the national map. We’re a forward-looking practice placing our customers vision and health needs first with everything from the latest eye imaging technology, to a wide range of eyewear products.”

Award organisers said finalists for the Leader of the Future Award “will be those working in optics who are at the dawn of their career. The winner will be working in one of the professions, or retail optics, they will have excellent skills in their chosen field, a passion for developing optics and adept at leading and enthusing workmates.”

Alison will attend a reception for all award finalists in London in March before the main gala awards ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on 14 April.

The Optician Awards has been established for over 20 years and is the highlight of the year for Optical practices, attracting the UK’s most talented opticians, teams, and companies. 

More than 500 guests from optical practices, suppliers, and companies from throughout the UK will be in attendance.