After gaining a first class degree in Optometry and Visual Science from the University of Wales, Cardiff in 2004 I moved to London and locumed at various practices prior to commencing work at the prestigious West End contact lens practice of Nigel F. Burnett Hodd…

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Sophie Taylor-West

After gaining a first class degree in Optometry and Visual Science from the University of Wales, Cardiff in 2004 I moved to London and locumed at various practices prior to commencing work at the prestigious West End contact lens practice of Nigel F. Burnett Hodd. It is here that I learned to fit many contact lenses for diseased corneas, very high prescriptions, toric lenses for astigmatism and multifocal lenses for presbyopia.

I have, over my 8 years working at this practice, developed a keen interest in lenses for keratoconus, post graft and post refractive surgery corneas. I worked at Moorfields Eye Hospital as a specialist optometrist in the contact lens clinic for 2 years, and spent a further two years at Sussex Eye Hospital fitting contact lenses.

I have attended many International conferences on specialist contact lens practice, including the Global Specialty Contact Lens Symposium in Las Vegas, the Keratoconus Meeting in Horsens, Denmark, the British Contact Lens Association conference and the International Society of Contact Lens Specialists meeting, both in the UK. This has kept my knowledge base as up-to-date as possible, and has allowed me to always be at the cutting edge of contact lens technology and techniques here in the UK.

I have been involved in the training of other Optometrists in the use of SoClear and SynergEyes lenses and the writing of fitting guides for these designs. I have lectured internationally (in the US, Denmark, France, Switzerland and the UK) and published numerous articles on complex lens fitting.

Other clinical experience includes consulting for UK based lens manufacturer No.7 Contact lens Laboratory and conducting performance assessments on fellow optometrists undergoing investigation by the General Optical Council.

On a personal note, I genuinely enjoy the challenges that come with dealing with diseased, damaged and ‘awkward’ eyes and I get an enormous amount of pleasure and satisfaction in helping those people who struggle to see anything at all without lenses and transforming their sight.

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I came into optics via a rather circuitous route. After gaining a degree in Marketing and Advertising, I started working with my sister, Sophie, at Burnett Hodd Optometry in London, working as a technician performing retinal scans and visual fields tests on patients, and ordering and checking complex contact lens types…

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George Taylor-West

I came into optics via a rather circuitous route. After gaining a degree in Marketing and Advertising, I started working with my sister, Sophie, at Burnett Hodd Optometry in London, working as a technician performing retinal scans and visual fields tests on patients, and ordering and checking complex contact lens types.

When Sophie opened her practice in Hove, I saw this as a great opportunity to broaden my knowledge and embraced the challenge of managing her store. It was there I found my calling and realised that dispensing glasses really played to my strengths, i.e. speaking to people, problem solving and physics, with a strong eye for seeing what suits people and helping them look their very best in their spectacles. I love meeting new people and developing a rapport, and I firmly believe this is what makes me good at my job. You need to have trust in the person who is guiding you through the journey of choosing your eyewear and making sure you will be able to see perfectly in them, and you can’t build this trust without first getting to know someone a little bit.

After working with Sophie in Hove, I spent 3 months working as as spectacle sales rep in America, and saw the more industrial side of spectacle sales. It was great fun and hugely broadened my knowledge of independent eyewear brands. However, it made me realise that my passion lies with working with members of the public, so on my return Sophie and I decided to open a new practice in partnership with each other. Thus the Dulwich branch of Taylor-West & Co was born! Dulwich has a fantastic community vibe and I’m really enjoying meeting new people and getting to know the area and the people who live here. If you’re one of them, please come and say hello!

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Coming from the Jura mountains, in the region of France where the global optics industry was born, I was destined to have a passion for exquisite eyewear. After graduating as a Dispensing Optician in 2004, I gained experience in different regions of France…

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Ibo Ozhan

Coming from the Jura mountains, in the region of France where the global optics industry was born, I was destined to have a passion for exquisite eyewear.

After graduating as a Dispensing Optician in 2004, I gained experience in different regions of France. After travelling in Europe, the US, Canada, New Zealand, Iceland and Australia, I moved to Brighton in 2013, where I worked across independent and multiple practices. I particularly enjoy helping my patients find their perfect frame, and taking the time to make sure they feel gorgeous in their specs! I couldn’t resist the opportunity to join Taylor-West & Co family with the arrival of the fabulous new Lewes practice, and I am excited to get to know the community, meet new clients, and find them the perfect eyewear.

My other passion is music, and I love attending live concerts, gigs and music festivals around the world. I also have an extensive vinyl collection.

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When people meet me for the first time, they always comment on my passion and knowledge in optics. That’s because I love what I do! I have been a spectacle wearer from a very young age and I always struggled to find something that suits my face…

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Suzana Gorda

When people meet me for the first time, they always comment on my passion and knowledge in optics. That’s because I love what I do! I have been a spectacle wearer from a very young age and I always struggled to find something that suits my face. Now as a Dispensing Optician, with every patient I see, I always go above and beyond to not only find them a frame they love but also have the sharpest vision through their lenses.

I graduated in 2016 from Anglia Ruskin University and ever since than I have enjoyed working with luxury high end frames and bespoke lenses. I have specialised in creating bespoke frames based on someone’s individual facial measurements. Some of my favourite brands are Mykita, Jacques Marie Mage, Hoya and Zeiss. Alongside my experience in practice, I am also a part-time lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University teaching BSc Hons Ophthalmic Dispensing. I love sharing my knowledge with my students and it’s a real joy seeing them achieve their fullest potential. Being a finalist for the Dispensing Optician of the Year Awards 2020 is a great honour and representation of dedication to the industry.

Outside of optics, I enjoy keeping fit and healthy through yoga, weight lifting and healthy eating. My free time is normally spent with my family if not travelling.

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Reaching beyond peoples expectations is both a challenge and a passion. Dispensing what sometimes can be a life changing product, igniting ones’ confidence and achieving the best possible vision is, you could say, my calling. Educating and empowering my team to do the same provides me with enormous gratification…

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Eileen Melton

Reaching beyond peoples expectations is both a challenge and a passion. Dispensing what sometimes can be a life changing product, igniting ones’ confidence and achieving the best possible vision is, you could say, my calling. Educating and empowering my team to do the same provides me with enormous gratification.

After nearly 20 years dispensing in some of London, Brighton and now Hove’s prestigious independent opticians, I’ve gained a wealth of experience and knowledge. I’ve seen the industry change and evolve. For me, mixing “old school” and innovative dispensing keeps the dispense both exciting and precise. Modern tailored lens manufacturing is both fascinating and brilliant; twin that with new frame manufacturing techniques and materials means the possibilities are now almost endless! Someone once asked me what I look for when styling a patient/client, and truthfully I don’t have a formulae; I have an instant vision of what frame will look perfect on your face, and once I’ve assessed your needs, requirements, prescription, wants and desires I can then dispense the perfect a frame and lens for your unique self.

I love to travel. I feel that living and spending time with other cultures has shaped me into the person I am today. My other loves and passions include interior design, property renovations, music, festivals, dancing in the sunshine, sea swimming, good wine, cocktails, and raising my son to be the best human ever!

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When the opportunity to join the Taylor-West and Co family arose, I knew it was a great space for me to dive deeper into the world of optics. Having experience in professional styling gives me a chance to incorporate my love for styling with something brand new! After moving to Brighton in 2021, I’ve truly found a community which celebrates individuality and culture.

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Parys

When the opportunity to join the Taylor-West and Co family arose, I knew it was a great space for me to dive deeper into the world of optics. Having experience in professional styling gives me a chance to incorporate my love for styling with something brand new! After moving to Brighton in 2021, I’ve truly found a community which celebrates individuality and culture.

As an optical assistant here in Hove, I have realised how fascinated I am by people. Being able to speak with people and share stories is why I really love what I do. Optics is a place I never thought I’d find myself but truthly, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Going the extra mile for our patients means everything to me and I believe it can make all the difference to someone’s experience in such an intimate process.

Since working in optics, I have been able to bring my love of problem solving forward and create lasting relationships with our patients. There is so much to learn in this fast-paced environment, and this is only the beginning.

I have recently travelled to Rishikesh, India to complete my Yoga Teacher Training. This solo travelling experience was life changing and absolutely made me into the person I am today. Painting, pottery and arts is a passion where I can express myself freely and hold space for myself to create!

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I believe that being in optics was destined to me, but it wasn’t a straightforward journey. One of my first memories is when I underwent an operation on my eyes as a child and even now I can remember the outstanding people who looked after me. Wanting to support people in overcoming their life obstacles, I graduated with a Master’s Degree in Social Rehabilitation.

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Joanna

I believe that being in optics was destined to me, but it wasn’t a straightforward journey. One of my first memories is when I underwent an operation on my eyes as a child and even now I can remember the outstanding people who looked after me.

Wanting to support people in overcoming their life obstacles, I graduated with a Master’s Degree in Social Rehabilitation. Having moved to London in 2014 I was given an opportunity to work in a high street optician and learn the basics. When I moved to Brighton I was given a chance to undertake the Dispensing Optician course, and I graduated in 2020.

My aim was always to work for an Independent Optician to gain new experience and knowledge. I joined Sophie’s team in Hove in 2021. Being a great listener supports my ability to find the best eyewear and exceed people’s expectations. I have a passion for styling, and I always go above and beyond to make sure everyone is treated as an individual.

For their unusual shapes, craftsmanship and attention to details, Anne and Valentin is one of my favourite optical brands. It makes me very proud to work in a practice that has such an incredible and unique selection of eyewear. Moreover, I find it extremely satisfying and emotional that by using the latest technology we can improve people’s lives and help them to see.

In my free time I enjoy watching crime dramas, looking after my large collection of plants and spending time with my partner and our pets. Although I prefer snow to heat, I love Italian food and architecture and always look forward to spending my holidays there.

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When I was younger I always knew I wanted to have a role in healthcare and to work with people, and after displaying an interest in and an affinity for maths and sciences in school it was actually my physics teacher who introduced me to the world of optics and curated my interest in optometry.

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Krystie

When I was younger I always knew I wanted to have a role in healthcare and to work with people, and after displaying an interest in and an affinity for maths and sciences in school it was actually my physics teacher who introduced me to the world of optics and curated my interest in optometry. During school holidays and on weekends I worked at a local high street opticians which only furthered my interest so I studied optometry at the Technological University in Dublin and graduated in 2015 with honours.

A week after graduating there was a mass exodus of newly qualified Irish Optometrists as three of my friends and I moved to Brighton and invaded the high street optical practices. I soon fell in love with this colourful, quirky city and its colourful, quirky people so my initial plan of staying for one or two years quickly turned into an indefinite stay as Brighton & Hove became my home away from home.

When I returned from travelling around South-East Asia in 2019 I locumed at some local optical practices, serendipitously the first practice I worked for was Taylor-West! I immediately loved working in this fabulous, unique practice and couldn’t turn down the opportunity to officially become part of the team when I was offered a role here in 2021.

I’m excited to broaden my horizons in the world of optometry and to expand and develop my skills professionally here. I love travelling – meeting new people and experiencing different cultures and new food! On days off I love to go for walks along the seafront and in the South Downs and to unwind in the evenings I love playing piano, swimming, reading books and binge-watching all the true-crime series on Netflix.

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 I have worked in optics for more than 25 years in some of London’s best practices, with many progressive years honing my craft at Auerbach & Steele, but also as a consultant on design and build of eyewear, and in wholesale.

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Az

I have worked in optics for more than 25 years in some of London’s best practices, with many progressive years honing my craft at Auerbach & Steele, but also as a consultant on design and build of eyewear, and in wholesale. The most satisfying of all the work I have done is helping patients find solutions for their specific needs for their work, social needs or sport, but at the same time making sure the design of the spectacles suits their face and character.

Trust is key to getting this right so by discussing the prescription and the eyewear with the patient we work together to get the right design and fit in both frames but also lenses. More recently, working with Sophie and George Taylor-West has provided us with a ‘light bulb’ moment when we realised we could pool our knowledge and form another practice in Clapham, which is now 4th in the group but my first practice. I am a local in Clapham for nearly 25 years, and I’ve seen Northcote Road in all its changes.

We have some outstanding and wonderful independent eyewear brands and very much look forward to helping you find your perfect eyewear in Clapham.

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Peggy has been a member of the team since 2015, and is our chief ‘meeter and greeter’ in residence. She loves to come and say hello to all visitors to the practice, and she takes her job very seriously!