Phil Gray

Clinical Efficiency Lead @ Specsavers | Clinical Innovation

United Kingdom

About

With over 20 years of experience in the eyecare industry, I am a visionary and dynamic leader driving clinical innovation and efficiency within Specsavers, the world's largest privately owned optical group. As the Clinical Efficiency Lead and Programme Director, I am responsible for designing and implementing transformative initiatives that improve access, quality, and outcomes of eye care in the UK and ROI. I am an accomplished, dedicated and explorative business leader, with national and international experience, who is highly outcome and results driven. Committed to consumer excellence, sustainable growth and bringing passionate people's talents to the fore. - Designed the Specsavers Tele-Optometry concept, further developed and implementing within the UK - Designed the expansion plan and led the launch and scaling of Specsavers stores into Canada. - Conceptualised, developed and led the expansion of Specsavers concessions within Sainsbury’s, UK. - National and international Specsavers board representation. - Specialties in brand growth, retail property acquisition, store design, construction, store openings and clinical innovation. - Passionate about driving results through cross-functional collaboration. - Entrepreneurial mindset along with current multi-business ownership. - Skilled in strategic planning, innovation, agile leadership, problem-solving and team building.

Experience

  • Specsavers (23 yrs 3 mos)
    • Clinical Efficiency Lead and Programme Director
      Apr 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 3 mos

      Leading transformative initiatives in clinical innovation and efficiency with a strong emphasis on the design and implementiion Tele-Optometry to improve access to eye-care. Committed to developing the landscape of eye examinations in the UK and ROI, this multifaceted approach boosts clinical productivity, efficiency and expertise credentials aligning with the evolving future of eyecare.

    • Retail Director of Optical, Audiology and Domiciliary services.
      Apr 2003 - Present · 23 yrs 3 mos

      Director and Joint Venture partner of the Plymouth group of Specsavers stores. This group comprises optical stores in Plymouth, Plymstock and Sainsbury's Marsh Mills. The business also covers audiology services in Plymouth, providing private and NHS audiology services in Devon and Cornwall along with the provision of Domiciliary (home visiting) eye care and audiology services within the greater Plymouth area. The overall operation includes initiating a Plymouth stores integrated customer service call centre, the provision of contact lenses, and an onsite laboratory manufacturing spectacles.

    • Director Of Business Development - and Specsavers Operating Board member - Canada
      Apr 2022 - May 2023 · 1 yr 2 mos

      A secondment from the Specsavers UK business to the position of Director of Business Development in Canada to lead the store opening programme in a new market for the Specsavers Group. I led a highly talented team facilitating the entry of Specsavers into Canada; changing lives through better sight. I had overall accountability for the expansion and strengthening of the business through the management and growth of the physical store portfolio across Canada by leading the core functions of Business Development, Property, Construction, Procurement and Store Design. During my secondment period I opened over 60 stores with a significant pipeline of future locations to support Specsavers achieving its growth ambition for Canada. I curated the appropriate business structures and partnerships to ensure that the Specsavers business gains wider regional reach through identifying new business opportunities. Specsavers in Canada provides opportunities to ambitious and like-minded professionals on their journey to business ownership through a joint venture partnership within our industry leading and global brand.

  • Regional Manager and Company Director at Dollond & Aitchison
    Aug 1997 - Mar 2003 · 5 yrs 8 mos

    Managing a large portfolio of Optical stores across the South and South West of England. Supported by a Regional team of Area Managers, HR Manager, Compliance Manager and Training Manager. I was also board director for Dollond and Aitchison Professional Services Ltd.

  • Area Manager at Boots Opticians
    Jan 1985 - Jul 1997 · 12 yrs 7 mos

    Optical Store management, Training and Development experience, Special Projects management and implementation, Area Management within 4 separate geographic regions.