The team from the Specsavers opticians on Westgate Street in Bath is celebrating its longest-serving members of staff who have a combined total of more than 150 years of service.
The team at the Specsavers store in Bath | Photo © Specsavers Bath
Specsavers has been honouring colleagues who have shown years of dedication to the store.
The current team at the store has more than 180 years of experience between them, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the local community.
The longest-serving members of the team are Kingstone Katebe, audiology director and Phil Lodge, retail director, who have both dedicated more than 20 years of service to Specsavers Bath.
Other long-serving team members include supervisor Emma Hansford, who marks 15 years this year.
Kingstone said: “It’s an incredible feeling to be part of a team with so many dedicated people.
“I initially started working at the store while waiting for my medical registration to work in the NHS to be processed, but after spending time working at Specsavers, I realised that I wanted to forge a career path here.
“I have made wonderful friendships, learned valuable skills and really enjoy working alongside Phil, our wonderful retail director.
“I was offered the chance to become a partner in 2009, and took on the role of audiology director, which was a pivotal moment in my career.
“Since then, I’ve developed a passion for helping others with their career paths. Before Specsavers, I spent the first 20 years of my career working as a doctor and helping people improve their health.
“It’s been equally as rewarding to have spent a further 20 years working in audiology and changing the lives of our customers through our hearing services.
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to our retail director, Phil, for his outstanding leadership. I’m incredibly grateful to have had his support over the years.”
Emma Hansford started as an admin assistant, before working her way up to her current role.
She said: “I’ve spent 15 years of my career at the store because of the wonderful team and management.
“We’re all so supportive of one another and it makes the store such a great place to work. We have fantastic career progression opportunities here, and I’m proud to come into work and help our customers every day.
“As a team, we have so many years of experience between us that our customers get to come in and see familiar, friendly faces for every appointment. It always puts a smile on my face when customers recognise us.”
The team has also praised frame advisor, Jayne Russell, for 20 years of service.
Lab manager, Ben Davis, supervisor, Dean Kelly and optometrist, Richard Davis, each have 15 years of service, while optometrist Chene Ward and clinic co-ordinator Samantha Crooks have more than 10 years of service each.
