JUMP TO CONTENT

A Saturday job that sparked something bigger

Written byNatassia Gunn
Posting date: 07 Jul 2025

At 16, Charlie-Leigh Martin took a Saturday job at her local Specsavers in Chelmsley Wood. Six years later, she’s running her own store in Alcester as a director. “I was still in sixth form and thinking about becoming a paramedic,” she says. “I’d picked a mix of A-levels- business, health and social care, drama, psychology- because I didn’t really know what I wanted to do.” 

Her cousin and cousin’s husband were already in leadership roles at the store, so she had a glimpse of what a career in optics could look like. “I started as a Saturday girl, just to earn a bit of money. But I liked the team, the customers, and the work. I started to get the hang of things.” 

A pivotal conversation 

When university decisions loomed, her store directors sat her down for a performance review that changed everything. “They laid out my options and said, ‘You’ve got the skills to go far here.’ That was the first time I thought, maybe I could do this.” 

Discovering a passion for leadership 

Charlie decided to stay and soon joined the store’s Leadership Academy- a six-month internal programme that gave her a taste of management. “It was a brilliant experience. You learn about KPIs, leadership, and how the business works, but without the pressure of being a manager yet. That was the turning point. I realised I really enjoyed it.” 

From there, things moved quickly. She became a supervisor, then a manager, and eventually joined the Specsavers Pathway programme, which prepares people for store ownership. “I gave myself five years to complete Pathway and get a store. I did it in under a year!” 

Leading with trust and respect 

Now 22, Charlie is co-director of the Alcester store. “I was nervous at first. I didn’t know the area or the team. But I focused on building trust- getting to know everyone individually. That made all the difference. 

She credits her progress to being driven, people-focused, and open to learning. “I’m very goal-oriented, but I also care about how people feel. I don’t just delegate- I lead by example. I’ll always show someone how to do something, not just tell them.” 

Support has been key. “From day one, I’ve had people around me who believed in me. Whether it was my directors showing me the ropes or someone checking in during Pathway, that support helped me grow. Even now, I’ve brought the Leadership Academy into the Alcester store because I know how valuable it can be.” 

Learning through experience 

Charlie also highlights the importance of being allowed to make mistakes. “My old team gave me responsibility and let me learn from it. That helped build my confidence as a leader.” 

One of the most surprising parts of her journey? The last few months. “I’ve never worked anywhere else, and I’ve moved to a completely different area. I still live in Birmingham, but I commute to Alcester, which is a small, community-focused town. It’s very different to what I’m used to, but I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the team and the customers.” 

She’s also found a strong partnership with her co-director, James. “You never know how that dynamic will work, but we get on really well. Specsavers put a lot of thought into those partnerships, and it makes a big difference.” 

Looking ahead, Charlie and James are focused strengthening the store’s culture. “We want to get more involved in the community, do more team-building, and make this a place people love to work. It already has a great culture- we just want to build on that.” 

Advice for future leaders 

Her advice to others thinking about a similar path? “It’s achievable. You don’t have to wait years. If you’re focused and passionate, and you ask for support when you need it, you can get there.” 

And to her 16-year-old self? “You won’t believe where you’ll be in six years. Just keep doing what you love and stay true to yourself.” 


Join our team

If you're looking for a dynamic, supportive, and patient-centred workplace, Specsavers might just be the perfect fit for you. 

Join a team where you can grow, learn, and make a difference every day.

Explore opportunities
Written byNatassia Gunn
List #1

#FeelsLikeSpecsavers

“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
“Keep at it”: Louise’s 14-year journey from optics to audiology.

Teaser

Audiology

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/23/2025

Summary

When Louise Turton first joined Specsavers in Coventry back in 2011, she wasn’t chasing a dream career - she needed a job. “I’d recently moved to the area and wanted something stable,” she says. “I di

Teaser

Read more
Turning a life-changing diagnosis into a life-changing career

Teaser

Home Visits

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/23/2025

Summary

Turning a life-changing diagnosis into a life-changing career Meet Gemma, a brand-new Specsavers Domiciliary Audiology Partner, whose journey from Optical Assistant to qualified Hearing Aid Dispenser

Teaser

Read more
From Spain to Republic of Ireland: Danna's story

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/21/2025

Summary

When Danna Garcia Reyes first began her studies in optometry in Barcelona, she wasn’t sure where the path would lead. Like a lot of students, she chose her degree with curiosity and a want to help oth

Teaser

Read more
Why I swapped a classroom for a career

Teaser

Apprenticeships

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/10/2025

Summary

Not everyone thrives in a traditional classroom—and Kaydyn Kent is living proof that success doesn’t have to start with a university degree. After a year at college left him uninspired and unsure of

Teaser

Read more
My 10-year story – with the badges to show for it!

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/09/2025

Summary

From Optical Assistant to Dispensing Optician and now Trainee Contact Lens Optician, Kerry Berridge has spent the last decade building a fulfilling career at Specsavers – all while raising a family an

Teaser

Read more
From the test room to the open road: Eleanor’s journey into home visits

Teaser

Home Visits

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/08/2025

Summary

After nearly three decades in optics, Eleanor Hickman knew it was time for a change. But it wasn’t just any change – it was one that would take her out of the test room and into the homes of patients

Teaser

Read more
From college to clinical tech - growing with Specsavers

Teaser

Apprenticeships

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

06/30/2025

Summary

From college to clinical tech...and beyond Ellie Long, Apprentice Optical Assistant, tells us about her apprenticeship journey so far, and how she went from leaving college to joining Specsavers wi

Teaser

Read more
Home is where the hearing is

Teaser

Home Visits

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

06/11/2025

Summary

Home is where the hearing is Aekta Patel, Audiology Director, shares her perspective on the value of partnerships in delivering audiology care through home visits. "It’s a tough gig. But it’s wo

Teaser

Read more
View more jobs
List #1

Selected jobs for you

Part time

Salary

£7.75 - £12.41 Depending on age

Location

Leeds, North East, United Kingdom

Store ID

1464

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Retail Assistant

Locations

Leeds

Description

Trainee Optical AssistantAre 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 he

Reference

sf-83704-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Elisha Aunger

Author

Elisha Aunger
View job
Optical Assistant Apprentice

Salary

£8 per hour

Location

London, Greater London, United Kingdom

Store ID

1799

Contract Duration

Fixed Term Contract

Area of Interest

Optical Assistant Apprenticeship

Locations

London

Description

Bishopsgate ( Liverpool Street) , Specsavers. 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 eve

Reference

sf-83702-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Hannah Crook

Author

Hannah Crook
View job
Part time

Salary

£7.75 - £12.41 Depending on age

Location

Leeds, North East, United Kingdom

Store ID

0106

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Retail Assistant

Locations

Leeds

Description

Trainee Optical AssistantAre 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 he

Reference

sf-83701-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Elisha Aunger

Author

Elisha Aunger
View job
View more jobs