JUMP TO CONTENT

“Specsavers is part of who I am today.”

Written byNatassia Gunn
Posting date: 20 Mar 2025

Petru's Pavalasc adventure with Specsavers started in February 2014. He'd just moved from London to Bradford with his wife and their six-month-old baby, looking for more than just a job to pay the bills. He wanted something that offered growth and fulfilment.

Taking a chance

One day, while walking down Darley Street in Bradford, Petru saw a window ad for optical assistants at Specsavers. Even though his English was limited- he'd moved to the UK from Romania in 2008 and mostly worked with Romanians-he decided to give it a shot.

The interview

"Petru remembers, 'I went for the initial interview with then-director Peter Rooke. After a second interview, Peter told me he loves my passion but thinks improving my accent and English skills could really help with customer interactions. I told him, 'Give me three months to work on it, and if you're not happy with my progress, I'll step down.''"

A promising start


Petru got the job and, within three months, received a pay rise and a permanent position. He loved every minute of the job and was always excited about learning something new. This enthusiasm led him to approach his directors, Peter Rooke and Mike Dearlove, about enrolling in the day release Dispensing Optician (DO) course.


Academic pursuits

In 2015, Petru started the DO course at Bradford College, graduating in 2018 with distinction—all while working full-time and welcoming a second child. Towards the end of the course, there was a pivotal moment. One day at work, a patient he had previously helped was upset in the waiting area. She had been diagnosed with a retinal detachment and needed to go to A&E immediately. Despite her distress, she couldn't stop praising the optometrist, Helen, for her calm and informative approach.

A defining moment

Petru says, "That moment made me want to provide my patients with the same assurance and play a significant role in their lives. I made a mental note that if there was ever a chance for me to become an optometrist, I would grab it with both hands."

Career progression

In 2019, after a few messages on LinkedIn and a face-to-face meeting with Dominic Doran, a former Regional Relationship Manager and now Retail Director at Specsavers Keighley, Petru was offered support to pursue his career progression with Bradford University to become an optometrist. He started the course in 2021, graduated with First Class honours in August 2022, and completed his Pre-Reg in February 2024.

Gratitude and ambition

"Specsavers is part of who I am today, and for this, I am forever grateful to the business and the people involved in my growth," Petru reflects. "This experience has inspired me to become one of the amazing Specsavers directors, just like those who believed in and trusted me. I want to play a pivotal role in the lives of our patients, community, and employees."

Looking ahead

Petru is now being supported to become a Specsavers business owner and is motivated to keep growing and learning. He looks forward to helping his community and inspiring future eye care professionals.


Your new career starts here.

Take a closer look at the different teams you could work alongside and explore different routes you could take in your future career.

Learn more
Written byNatassia Gunn
List #1

#FeelsLikeSpecsavers

“If I can do it, so can you”: Sayuri’s story

Teaser

Partnership

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/28/2025

Summary

Sayuri isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. After qualifying as an optometrist in South Africa in 2007, she quickly built a thriving career, owning and growing six franchise stores over the years.

Teaser

Read more
"It's the level of care we provide" - Pip's audiology journey

Teaser

Audiology

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/27/2025

Summary

Pip’s audiology journey I started at 15 as a Saturday colleague in the Huddersfield store. I struggled to hear some patients, so one of the audiologists checked my ears and uncovered my own hearing lo

Teaser

Read more
Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Using personal experiences to reassure others - Lorna's story

Teaser

Audiology

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/27/2025

Summary

Hi, 👋 I’m Lorna I’ve recently started working with Specsavers Inverness as an Audiology Practitioner (AP). Here’s a bit about my story: My own hearing journey started when my mum booked me in for a

Teaser

Read more
Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Rozie’s journey to running an audiology business

Teaser

Audiology

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/27/2025

Summary

Hi, I’m Rozie 👋 I’m the Audiology Partner at Specsavers Folkestone My journey with Specsavers started when I was looking to move back home from Gloucestershire. I was working for another high-stree

Teaser

Read more
Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

“Specsavers felt right – so I said yes”: Joel’s story

Teaser

Audiology

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/17/2025

Summary

When Joel Sebastian was deciding what to do after school, he knew he wanted to help people. Growing up in Kerala, South India, surrounded by family members in medicine, it felt like a natural path. Bu

Teaser

Read more
Squiggly Career. Straightforward Purpose.

Teaser

Retail

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/07/2025

Summary

Matthew Irvine didn’t plan a linear career—and that’s exactly what’s made it so impactful.He joined Specsavers in 2017 as a Divisional Support Manager, a development role designed to help new starters

Teaser

Read more
Why Specsavers was my "yes"

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

09/24/2025

Summary

When Sam Thomas first stepped into the world of optics 16 years ago, she never imagined it would lead to running her own store on the Cornish coast. Her journey from Optical Assistant to national trai

Teaser

Read more
Celebrating National Payroll Week

Teaser

Support Office

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/29/2025

Summary

Celebrating National Payroll WeekPayroll might happen behind the scenes, but it’s at the heart of every organisation. Our Payroll Services team is a mix of problem-solvers, people champions, and proce

Teaser

Read more
Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Shaping the future of optometry, one conversation at a time

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/27/2025

Summary

Rachel Pointon’s career in optometry has been anything but linear—and that’s exactly what makes it so inspiring. From hospital clinics to high-performing stores, from mentoring pre-regs to influencin

Teaser

Read more
"The most fulfilling part of my role is having the time to connect with patients"

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/27/2025

Summary

Hi, I’m Alan 👋 I grew up on the southside of Glasgow and I’m currently the Lead Optometrist at Specsavers in Sauchiehall Street. How did I get here? To be honest, I was never entirely sure that op

Teaser

Read more
Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

View more jobs
List #1

Selected jobs for you

Optical Assistant

Salary

DOE

Location

Leyland, North West

Store ID

1630

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Optical Assistant

Location

Leyland

Description

Experienced Optical AssistantSo, you’re a proactive people person ready to be the friendly face our stores need? Sounds like you’d be a great fit here. So, if you’ve had previous optical experience as

Reference

sf-86492-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Elisha Aunger

Author

Elisha Aunger
View job
Optical Assistant Apprentice

Salary

£7.75 per hour

Location

Leyland, North West

Store ID

1630

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Optical Assistant Apprenticeship

Location

Leyland

Description

Are you a caring individual looking to start your career in an Optics environment? You’ve come to the right place.    As well as being passionate and motivated in everything you do, it’s important tha

Reference

sf-86491-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Elisha Aunger

Author

Elisha Aunger
View job
Corporate Customer Services Specialist (UK)

Salary

Up to £26,000 Dependent on Experience + bonus and benefits

Location

Nottingham, East Midlands

Store ID

0018-0005

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Retail Operations & Support

Location

Nottingham

Description

An exciting opportunity to join our Corporate Eyecare team as a Corporate Customer Service Specialist.As the first point of contact for our business-to-business customers, you’ll be the friendly voice

Reference

sf-86373-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

View job
View more jobs