The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers

The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers Welcome to the page for the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers. We are a City Livery Company, founded by Royal Charter in 1629.

Our purpose – supporting better vision for all and inspiring the next generation of professionals - has remained the same for almost four centuries. Each generation brings new developments and new ways of tackling vision problems. Our membership ranges from those still in training in the optical professions through to world-leading experts in ophthalmology and vision science. Through those members, our activities and events, both real and virtual, and grant-giving by The Spectacle Makers’ Charity, we remain at the heart of a craft that can change people’s lives for good.

Welcome to our new Master, David Baker!Last week, the new Master of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers was insta...
05/10/2026

Welcome to our new Master, David Baker!

Last week, the new Master of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers was installed, in a historic first for the Company.

After a Service of Thanksgiving at St Lawrence Jewry and a Court Luncheon at Saddlers’ Hall, David and his Wardens, Professor Leon Davies and Alderman Vincent Keaveny CBE, made their declarations in a service at Bevis Marks Synagogue. As far as we know, it is the first time in the Company's nearly 400 years that new office-holders have taken their oaths in a synagogue.

David, a second-generation optometrist, told guests at lunch about his family's journey – a story that began in 1911, in a small village in Eastern Europe – and his own journey into optics. Reflecting on the day, he said that Livery members are "custodians of a living tradition", and that as times change, we can find new ways to express our customs and carry out our purpose.

To our members who couldn't join us, or who would like to hear more about David's career as an and his history with the Spectacle Makers, he will be telling his story and answering questions at the Eye-to-Eye on Tuesday 3 November. Booking is now open on our Members' Area.

The Annual Spectacle Makers' Lecture is now open for booking!The Patient's View: Quality of Life and Driving in Age-Rela...
05/10/2026

The Annual Spectacle Makers' Lecture is now open for booking!

The Patient's View: Quality of Life and Driving in Age-Related Eye Disease

In this lecture, Professor David Crabb looks beyond the vision chart to explore how conditions like and shape everyday life — from recognising a face across a room to deciding whether it's still safe to drive.

Monday 2 November. The Lecture starts at 6:15 pm, with a reception after the talk for drinks, canapés and further discussion.

Tickets are £45 for Freemen and Liverymen, with concessions for students and Journeymen, and £55 for non-members.

More info & tickets via our website.

An early start for the Company this morning – our Master and Clerk were up at 5am to join the Big Breakfast send-off for...
25/09/2026

An early start for the Company this morning – our Master and Clerk were up at 5am to join the Big Breakfast send-off for the Children's , sending London's black cabs (including the one we're proud to sponsor) off with over 200 children for a trip of a lifetime to Disneyland Paris.

A wonderful cause and a brilliant way to start the day. Wishing all the children a magical trip!

We have a tradition of presenting or to each Lord Mayor and consort of the City of London. An essential part of that...
23/09/2026

We have a tradition of presenting or to each Lord Mayor and consort of the City of London. An essential part of that gift is a full assessment of their and advice on maintaining through a demanding mayoral year.

This week, in National Eye Health Week , our Master Fiona Anderson, together with her Consort, our Clerk, and Vaishali Thakrar and Joanne Kent of Hawkes & Wainer, made the formal presentation to The Rt Hon. the Lady Mayor Dame Susan Langley DBE at Mansion House.

On Thursday we held our Presentation Ceremony at Barber-Surgeons' Hall, welcoming 75 guests to celebrate our newest memb...
22/09/2026

On Thursday we held our Presentation Ceremony at Barber-Surgeons' Hall, welcoming 75 guests to celebrate our newest members.

Four Freemen made their Declaration for the first time, and 24 more reconfirmed theirs in public. We also admitted three new Liverymen: Stephen Jones, Samuel Ranger and Brenda Rennie.

The Master Fiona Anderson welcomed guests and spoke about the Company's history. Charity Chair David Parkins presented the 2026 Anne Macintosh Award to Jade Barnett, an student at the University of Lancashire, and the Master presented the Company's Military Award to Lance Corporal James Mitchell, currently on deployment.

As the Master put it: "we are all different, but as Spectacle Makers, we all believe that in the 21st century, no one should be left behind because of their vision."

A wonderful evening celebrating what it means to be part of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers.

Welcome to Prof Christian French, our newest Freeman!Christian has had a fascinating career in - from across multi...
25/08/2026

Welcome to Prof Christian French, our newest Freeman!

Christian has had a fascinating career in - from across multiple settings to running his own practice, all while completing a PhD along the way. He's lectured at the University of Hertfordshire, worked as a Specialist Optometrist at Kettering General Hospital, and now serves as Foundation Professor of Optometry at the University of Leicester. He also runs his own practice as a , helping patients with visual sensory disturbances and brain injury.

But it's not just about the career highlights. Christian is just as well known for the time and encouragement he gives to people starting out in the profession, helping shape the next generation of professionals.

Congratulations, Christian, and welcome to the Company!

We're delighted to welcome Dr Ian Cole into the Freedom of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, following his dec...
12/08/2026

We're delighted to welcome Dr Ian Cole into the Freedom of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, following his declaration on 6 August.

Ian qualified from Imperial College London School of Medicine in 2006, trained in General Practice on the University College Hospital Scheme, and holds a degree in Medical Management from Imperial College Business School.

For the past six years he's been building his own family practice in private care, and now sees patients from King Edward VII's Hospital. He sits on both the Hospital's Medical Advisory Committee and Consultant Selection Committee.

Welcome, Ian, to the Company. If you share our mission of , we'd love to hear from you.

Are you conducting that enhances our understanding of or helps prevent ? Have you made a significant contribution t...
29/07/2026

Are you conducting that enhances our understanding of or helps prevent ? Have you made a significant contribution to vision science, eye care or the fight against visual impairment?

The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers is now accepting entries for our 2026 Research Medals.

Since our Royal Charter in 1629, our purpose has stayed the same: Better Vision for All. Every year we recognise people working in research, education and innovation to prevent and treat visual impairment.

Three are open now:

🔹 Master's Medal — for early-career researchers. Deadline: 12 August 2026
🔹 Ruskell Medal — for those with up to 7 years' post-doctoral experience. Deadline: 12 August 2026
🔹 Silver Medal — for mid-career professionals with significant impact in vision science. Deadline: 28 October 2026

Full details and application forms are on our website > Research Medals.

If you know someone whose work deserves recognition, please pass this on.



spectaclemakers.com/supporting-research

The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (WCSM) is sad to announce the death of Colin Eldridge, who served as Clerk to...
29/06/2026

The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (WCSM) is sad to announce the death of Colin Eldridge, who served as Clerk to the Company for 32 years, from 1966 to 1998.

After wartime evacuation in Devon, a law degree at Bristol University, and National Service, Colin joined the then Corporation of London, before becoming only the 22nd known Clerk to the Spectacle Makers since the Company was founded in 1629.

As Clerk, Colin was the WCSM’s de facto Chief Executive, coordinating the Company’s activities and acting as custodian of its traditions.

Colin provided leadership and continuity during a period of significant change. During his tenure, WCSM played a prominent role in establishing the College of Optometrists and the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO). With those new bodies in place, the Company’s education programme increasingly focused on boosting skills among optical technicians and optical practice support staff. The Company’s SMC(Tech) qualification for optical technicians was given statutory recognition under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992.

Following his retirement in 1998, Colin remained an Honorary Liveryman of WCSM and served as the Company’s Archivist. His work of indexing the Company’s minute books and membership records culminated in the 2019 publication of his book The Spectacle Makers (1629–1929): The first 300 years in Minutes.

Fiona Anderson, Master of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, said:

‘All of us at the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers are mourning the loss of Colin Eldridge, who served as our Clerk for an astonishing 32 years. During his long and distinguished tenure, Colin led the Company through many changes and found new ways for us to deliver our enduring mission: supporting Better Vision for All.

‘We will miss Colin’s unparalleled knowledge of the Spectacle Makers’ history and traditions. But most of all, we will miss his kindness, friendship, and support. Our thoughts are with Colin’s family, particularly his wife Mary.’

[The photos show a portrait of Colin from 1986, the procession of the Master and Wardens and Clerk in 1996, and Colin receiving a gift upon his retirement in 1998.]

Last week we held our June Court Lunch. Court Lunches are held four times a year and are wonderful occasions for Liverym...
15/06/2026

Last week we held our June Court Lunch. Court Lunches are held four times a year and are wonderful occasions for Liverymen and guests to meet, network and talk over excellent food in one of the City’s historic Livery Halls. June’s lunch was no exception – over 100 Liverymen and guests joined us at the beautiful Grocers' Hall for lunch.

We were also glad to clothe six new Liverymen, and welcome them at lunch.

- Tony Calvo- Innovation Director at Optimum RX Lens Specialists. Tony is also an SMC (Tech).
- Chris Clemence - Commercial Director, Eyeplan Ltd, with a background in and .
- Philip Lucas - Medical Officer, BASICS Doctor, former pilot and qualified military aviation medical examiner. Through his affiliation with 16 Medical Regiment, he also represents WCSM's valued links with .
- Mark Marland - a and at Optimum Rx Lens Specialists, bringing nearly 40 years of experience in and .
- Janet Pooley - Advisor to the Scottish Government, with extensive experience in optometric education and .
- Charlotte Timbury - Director of Medical and Professional Affairs for North Europe at EssilorLuxottica.

Our New Liverymen embody the wide-reaching and inclusive nature of our Company, and we look forward for all of them to help us advance WCSM’s mission of

Address

Apothecaries Hall, Black Friars Lane
London
EC4V6EL

Telephone

02072362932

Website

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