We’re counting down the days to the prestigious Optician Awards 2018 this weekend where our very own optometrist, Alison Edwards, has been shortlisted for the Leader of the Future Award.

The national awards, seen as the Oscars of the optometry world in the UK, take place in Birmingham on Saturday.

Alison has been shortlisted for the Leader of the Future Award by Optician magazine, the industry’s main trade publication that hosts the awards which coincides with the pre-eminent industry trade show Optrafair, held every year at the NEC. Alison is very excited to find out if she has won the coveted title at a gala ceremony in Birmingham.

Award organisers said finalists in 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.”

“We’re very proud to have Alison shortlisted for this prestigious award and representing BBR at the ceremony,” said Nick Rumney, a director and optometrist at BBR Optometry.

“It’s a great endorsement of Alison’s expertise as an optometrist and commitment to taking the profession forward.”

Alison is one the newest optometrists at BBR, specialising in medical retina and contact lenses. Alison is also a valued member of the Wye Valley NHS Trust, Victoria Eye Unit medical retina team working alongside Alaric Smith Consultant Ophthalmologist. She is also currently studying to become an independent prescriber. Assuming the examination takes place later this year Alison will be the youngest ever optometrist to graduate with the Diploma in therapeutics to add to her certificates in medical retina and glaucoma. 

“There’s no doubt I’m going to be nervous. But it’s a great privilege to have been shortlisted for such an award and representing the profession, BBR Optometry, and Wye Valley NHS Trust,” said Alison.

The gala awards take at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Saturday, 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.