A familiar face at Specsavers Market Street has bought into the business to become its new optometry partner.
Guernseyman Matt Thoume had initially qualified as an optometrist at the local Specsavers store in 2013 before spending a decade living in Cornwall, building his experience working at Specsavers stores in Redruth and Truro.
In May 2023, he and his wife Stacey, a fellow optometrist, moved their young family to Guernsey for the pair to take up positions back at his original store.
Matt said: “Moving back was a great decision for us as a family. The ability for our children to attend school and grow up on the island as I did is fantastic. Becoming a Specsavers partner has always been my ambition so when a partnership opportunity presented itself at my local store late last year I was determined to go for it.
“I believe the expertise of the whole team in Guernsey, along with our focus on care and customer service, will see us continuing to deliver the best quality eye care and audiology services to our customers in the community.”
Matt, a former Elizabeth College student, completed his optometry degree at Cardiff University in 2012. During his time working in Cornwall, he played an active role in the profession, serving on the Local Optical Committee (LOC) for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly for four years. This position provided him with a broad understanding of optometry from an organisational perspective.
In addition to his extensive practical experience, Matt has pursued further qualifications and leadership training. He achieved an ILM Level 3 qualification in 2019 and successfully completed Specsavers’ Pathway program in 2022. This training enhanced his understanding of leadership and personal development, equipping him with the tools to inspire and lead teams effectively.
Matt also holds two advanced certifications from the College of Optometrists: The Professional Certificate in Glaucoma and the Professional Certificate in Medical Retina, reflecting his commitment to providing the highest standard of patient care.
Founder Doug Perkins commented: “I wish congratulate Matt on his commitment to becoming a Specsavers partner. He is very qualified optometrist who is very popular with his patients and he joins a great team in running our flagship Guernsey store.”
Matt joins existing Specsavers Market Street partners Michael Todd and Stephen Watson, who are both thrilled with his appointment.
“Matt’s desire to return to his roots with his wife and young family has been a fortunate turn of events – he is able to raise his children in a wonderful environment, and his return to the practice, where his career began, has allowed us to secure professional optometric services for years to come,” Michael said.
“Following a period of significant investment in infrastructure and colleagues, the sole focus is providing the best possible professional service for the island for many years to come.”
Pictured: Left to right – Stephen Watson, Michael Todd and Matt Thoume