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

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

From law to lenses: Hannan Qureshi’s story

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/22/2025

Summary

From law to lenses: Hannan Qureshi’s story After years in the legal profession, Hannan Qureshi has made a bold career switch to follow his passion - becoming the new Retail Director at Specsavers Shep

Teaser

Read more
“I’ve found my place here.”: Daniel's story

Teaser

Home Visits

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/22/2025

Summary

“I’ve found my place here.” Meet Daniel – Optometrist, Specsavers Home Visits Manchester Daniel Morgans didn’t follow the usual path into optometry. His early career included everything from call cent

Teaser

Read more
A career shaped by experience- and instinct: Sara's story

Teaser

Home Visits

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/22/2025

Summary

A career shaped by experience- and instinct When Saraneeya Sivathas joined Specsavers as an Optical Assistant during her BioMed degree, she had no idea that a part-time job would spark a whole new car

Teaser

Read more
"I'm just happier in this role" - Ella's career story

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/18/2025

Summary

"Home visits is refreshing, it’s fulfilling, and I wouldn’t go back.” Meet EllaElla Helliwell lives in a quiet village in Cheshire with her husband and their cat, Rosie. After moving away for universi

Teaser

Read more
Coming full circle but with a different lens!

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/15/2025

Summary

Parth Shah, Lead Clinical Performance Consultant (CPC), qualified as an optometrist at Specsavers in 2003. Since then, his journey has taken him from the clinic to the classroom, the boardroom, and ev

Teaser

Read more
“I believe that we're not just Specsavers - we are lifesavers.”

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/28/2025

Summary

A career begins with a life-changing moment When Mahnoor Khan joined Specsavers Norton as a pre-reg optometrist, she never imagined her clinical training would be put to the test in such a personal an

Teaser

Read more
Deepali Modha’s unconventional career journey

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/25/2025

Summary

When Deepali Modha first qualified as an Optometrist, she never imagined her career would one day take her far beyond the test room. But over the years, she’s carved out a path that’s as inspiri

Teaser

Read more
View more jobs
List #1

Selected jobs for you

Contact Lens Optician

Salary

Up to £37,000 depending on experience

Location

Wrexham, Wales, United Kingdom

Store ID

0169

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Contact Lens Optician

Locations

Wrexham

Description

Want to be the reason why people should’ve gone to Specsavers? As a Contact Lens Optiician here, you’ll be the go-to for contact lens services, helping us keep the nation seeing 20/20. You’ll work wit

Reference

sf-82327-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Nimisha Mistry View job
Dispensing Optician

Salary

Competitive

Location

Hyde, North West, United Kingdom

Store ID

0221

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Dispensing Optician

Locations

Hyde

Description

Dispensing Optician Whether you’ve just qualified or already have experience and looking for a new challenge, our Dispensing Optician role could be just right for you.If you are looking to join a busi

Reference

sf-82196-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

View job
Dispensing Optician

Salary

Up to £30,000 per year + individual bonus + £5,000 joining bonus paid after successful

Location

Woking, South East, United Kingdom

Store ID

2429

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Dispensing Optician

Locations

Woking

Description

Position: Dispensing Optician Location: Brookwood, SurreySalary: £30,000 per year + individual bonusWorking Hours: Full time Experience Level: Qualified and GOC registered Dispensing Optician About th

Reference

sf-82155-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Blair Mills

Author

Blair Mills
Blair Mills

Author

Blair Mills
View job
View more jobs