The OT Podcast

The Imran Hakim episode

In episode 11 of The OT Podcast, we speak to CEO of Hakim Group, Imran Hakim. We talk to Imran about his career as an optometrist, inventor and serial entrepreneur, and find out about his journey to establishing the fastest growing family of independent optometry practices in the UK and Ireland.

The Professor Lyndon Jones episode

In episode 10 of The OT Podcast, we speak to director of the Centre for Ocular Research and Education (CORE) at the University of Waterloo, Professor Lyndon Jones. We talk about Jones’ career path from DJing to optometry – a journey that has seen him travel almost 3500 miles from his hometown Cwmbran, Wales, making pitstops in Cardiff, London and Birmingham, before settling in Ontario, Canada.  

The Dame Mary Perkins episode

In episode nine of The OT Podcast, we speak to Dame Mary Perkins about her career in optics and the founding of Specsavers, as it marks its 40th anniversary this year.

The Nick Rumney episode

Optometrist and owner of BBR Optometry, Nick Rumney, talks about education with The OT Podcast hosts, Dr Ian Beasley and Ceri Smith-Jaynes.

The Peter Greedy episode

In the seventh episode of The OT Podcast, we speak to optometrist, entrepreneur and leadership coach, Peter Greedy

The Lisa Donaldson episode

In the sixth episode of The OT Podcast, we speak to optometrist and head of eye care and vision at SeeAbility, Lisa Donaldson, about how people with learning disabilities can access good quality eye care.

The Dr Stephanie Campbell episode

In the fifth episode of The OT Podcast, we speak to optometrist and founder of Okko Health, Dr Stephanie Campbell, about artificial intelligence and how it may change optometry. 

The Dr Peter Frampton episode

In episode four of The OT Podcast, we seek to work out what makes a positive and productive place to work. Speaking to OT on his birthday, our guest is Northumberland-based owner of Aaron Optometrists, Dr Peter Frampton. The IP optometrist and AOP member purchased the practice, which is now part of Hakim Group, in 1993. The move led to the Australian-native remaining in the UK following what was meant to be a short-term stop-off in the 1980s.

The Keith Valentine episode

In episode three of The OT Podcast, our hosts, Dr Ian Beasley and Ceri Smith-Jaynes, shine a spotlight on the patient experience by talking to someone who is both a patient and an industry leader. Keith Valentine has 25 years’ experience in the charity sight loss sector and is currently chief executive of Fight for Sight – soon to merge with Vision Foundation UK. He lost his sight at the age of 36 as a result of retinitis pigmentosa.

The Ian Cameron episode

Our hosts, OT’s Dr Ian Beasley and Ceri Smith-Jaynes, delve into the career of Scottish IP optometrist and practice owner, Ian Cameron, who shares insight into his passion for learning, professional variety and knowledge sharing. Cameron has been managing the award-winning Cameron Optometry in Edinburgh since 2011, when he took over the family business from his father. In 2022 the practice joined Hakim Group.