From Bristol to British Columbia
Sign Up For Post Alerts
The next chapter in Bradley’s story
Last year, we shared Bradley Long’s inspiring journey from apprentice to dispensing optician general manager. He’s back to tell us about how- just a year later- his career in Bristol reached new heights over in Canada.
“It’s hard to believe that I was the general manager and dispensing optician at Specsavers Stroud last time we spoke,” he recalls. “Things have moved so quickly!”.
In July 2023, Bradley completed the Specsavers Pathway, our exclusive training and development programme that supports colleagues in becoming successful business owners through our joint venture partnership model.
The Pathway programme was amazing. It made me think bigger, pushed me to improve, and gave me experience in new areas of the business.
There were opportunities in the UK for me to become a retail partner, but I ended up exploring things further away. I’d heard about the opportunities in Canada internally, so I connected with Mike Rowe and the Specsavers Canada team to find out more…
…and here I am now in beautiful British Columbia, Canada! My new store is opening next week, and I can’t believe that this is real!
Without sounding like a broken record, if you’d have asked the nervous 16-year-old apprentice where he would be in 11 years’ time, I wouldn’t be telling you I’d be running my own Specsavers store in Canada because I didn’t think it was possible. But I am, and it is.”
Tags
#FeelsLikeSpecsavers
Teaser
Support OfficeContent Type
BlogPublish date
05/05/2026
Summary
Michael recently relocated from Ghana to Ireland through the Specsavers international programme, making the move alongside his best friend Marvin. The pair moved together and now even work in the sam
Teaser
Support OfficeContent Type
BlogPublish date
04/14/2026
Summary
We chatted with the Optometry Director in Norfolk to understand how working with Clinical Performance Consultants (CPCs) has totally transformed their approach to clinical leadership and continually i
Teaser
Support OfficeContent Type
BlogPublish date
04/14/2026
Summary
Ellie Barker, Associate Clinical Performance Consultant (CPC) at Specsavers, shares her career journey and why this role has given her the perfect balance of flexibility, trust, and impact. My journey
Teaser
Support OfficeContent Type
BlogPublish date
04/09/2026
Summary
When Vyasa first started thinking about a career in health, he never imagined it would eventually take him from Queensland to Tasmania, and then across the world to Dublin. Now a CORU-registered optom
Teaser
Support OfficeContent Type
BlogPublish date
02/26/2026
Summary
Caroline Angell, Optom Partner in South Shields, says: “When I think about what’s kept me afloat through the toughest times as an optometrist partner, one name comes to mind: my Clinical Performance C
Teaser
OptometryContent Type
BlogPublish date
02/26/2026
Summary
Rachel McClelland’s career in optics spans nearly two decades. She began as a Trainee Optical Assistant at Specsavers and went on to progress through a variety of roles, including Store Partner. She n
Teaser
OptometryContent Type
BlogPublish date
02/13/2026
Summary
I’m Angela, an optometrist who recently swapped life in Arkansas for a fresh start in Cork. It’s been a big move in every sense, but one that’s already changed my life in the best possible ways. I’ve
Teaser
RetailContent Type
BlogPublish date
02/02/2026
Summary
At Specsavers, caring for our communities At Specsavers, caring for our communities sits at the heart of everything we do—both at home and across the world. Our longstanding partnership with The Hope
by
Sam Reed
Teaser
Support OfficeContent Type
BlogPublish date
01/20/2026
Summary
We’re shining a light on the inspiring journey of Deborah Mobbs, who works in a technical role within our Vision Labs manufacturing facility in Kidderminster. After 25 years at Vision Labs, Deborah de
Teaser
ApprenticeshipsContent Type
BlogPublish date
01/16/2026
Summary
When Amelia left school, she thought she had her next steps all planned out. Like many of her friends, she enrolled in college to study travel and tourism. But after an induction week and just one ful
Selected jobs for you
Salary
£8.20 an hour
Location
Pudsey, North East
Store ID
1581
Contract Duration
Permanent
Area of Interest
Optical Assistant Apprenticeship
Location
Pudsey
Description
So, you’re a proactive people person, passionate about retail and offering the best customer service? Sounds like you’d be a great fit here. If you’ve ever considered a career in optics, this Optical
Reference
sf-91398-1
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Nichola Adamson
Author
Nichola AdamsonSalary
£8.20 per hour
Location
Pudsey, North East
Store ID
1581
Contract Duration
Permanent
Area of Interest
Spectacle Maker Apprenticeship
Location
Pudsey
Description
Spectacle Technician Apprenticeship (Spectacle Maker) So, you’re a proactive people person and a great team player looking to start a career in Optics? If you are looking for a role that will allow yo
Reference
sf-91335-1
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Nichola Adamson
Author
Nichola AdamsonSalary
€14.15
Location
Headford Road, Ireland
Store ID
1190
Contract Duration
Permanent
Area of Interest
Trainee Optical Assistant
Location
Headford Road
Description
Are you a caring individual looking to start your career as an Optical Assistant? You’ve come to the right place. We aren’t looking for people with years of experience and heaps of qualifications, ju
Reference
sf-91334-1
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Andrew Hastings
Author
Andrew Hastings