Independents Day

Dr Alicia Thompson BSc (Hons) PhD FBDO R (Hons) SLD SMC (Tech), began her career in optics 35 years ago and says that she has never stopped learning since surfacing her first lens as an optical technician. She then went on to become a dispensing optician, registering in 1994 and managing a successful practice. Her interest in teaching took her to Aston University as clinic manager for over ten years where she also qualified as an examiner for the ABDO. Having an interest in ophthalmic lenses, she went on to complete the L7 course in Spectacle Lens Design in 2006.

In 2008, Alicia was appointed as Director of Professional Exams for ABDO and since 2022 Director of Education, Research and Professional Development, her current role.

In 2021, Alicia completed a part-time PhD at Aston University looking into paediatric facial anthropometry in relation to spectacle frame design with the aim of improving the fit of spectacles for all children. By assisting the frame manufacturers with a sensible set of parameters and design features, new models are now in production from this research. Alicia still practices in her specialist paediatric dispensing clinic in Birmingham and also runs practical workshops for educational purposes.

In 2024, Alicia produced a Level 7 Professional Certificate in Paediatric Eyecare for registered eye care professionals.

A father of five daughters, a proud northerner and Boltonian, Imran is an avid Manchester United fan, and aside from playing football, enjoys all things relating to enterprise, leadership, and community impact! 

From an early age, Imran knew he wanted to run his own business. He started his first business, aged 15, having been sacked from 2 jobs within 1 week).

Within days, he was trading in computer equipment, selling to college teachers and the local community. As he neared the end of his college education, he faced a tough decision, whether to grow the business or study to become an Optometrist at University. Unable to choose, he decided to do both.

As well as studying, he continued to build his business. Having successfully completed his degree and professional exams, Imran opened his first optical practice in his local Bolton community with a £2000 loan from his father.

Imran has won many business awards over the years in recognition of his numerous endeavours including EY Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year. His work on the iTeddy brand has earned him awards such as Toy Inventor of the Year, and IOD’s NorthWest Young Director of the Year. Imran received an Honorary Doctorate in Enterprise and Innovation from the University of Bolton and was awarded a medal by the University of Manchester for his work in nurturing entrepreneurship.

Imran’s main business, Hakim Group saw double when it was crowned as the UK’s best company to work for, at the same time he was also awarded Best Leader on the Sunday Times Top 100 list, which contained some of the leading CEOs in the UK.

During the COVID pandemic, Imran seized the opportunity to accelerate the entrepreneurial ecosystem Hakim Group could provide to independent opticians. Since then the rapid growth, has led to the group cementing its position as one of the largest optical groups and amongst the most exciting businesses in Healthcare being voted UK Healthcare business of the year in 2024, with an independent family of almost 500 practices across the UK and Ireland, supporting even more communities to see better, hear better and live better.

The last few ye

Sarah Morgan is an optometrist, and has worked in clinical research at The University of Manchester where she gained her MPhil – she continues to lecture and lead clinical sessions and holds the post of Vision Sciences Fellow. Her business consultancy includes a wide portfolio of projects including staff development and training, advising professional organisations, and healthcare communication initiatives for manufacturers in the UK, Europe and globally. Sarah is an entertaining Key Note speaker and has lectured internationally across Europe, North America, South Africa, Israel, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and the British Contact Lens Association. In addition to her work in Optometry, Sarah is a professional actress and musical stand-up comedian. In her spare time she enjoys creating and editing short films, and The Presbyopia Song and The Myopia Control Song are examples of this work.