AN OPTICIAN is celebrating her rise to the top after taking up a position as a store director at Specsavers Idle.

Kiran Bola began her career in optics on a work experience placement at Specsavers when she was still at school.

This year has seen her realise her dreams by reaching the highest level possible in store and becoming a Specsavers joint venture partner.

From her first foray into optics at the age of 16, Ms Bola said she knew that it was the career for her.

It is thanks to a career development pathway provided by Specsavers, that those dreams of leading a store, alongside co-director Bhrat Phakey, have now come true.

“It’s a very surreal and humbling experience,’ she said.

“It has been a joy to work with an amazing group of people who have believed in me and supported me throughout my journey to directorship.

“What I want to do now is continue to support all those within my team who have similar ambitions.”

She praised the opportunities the firm offers through its development programme which enabled her to undertake further study while working and progress as she has.

She added: “The wonderful thing about Specsavers is the training and development which we’re encouraged to take up.

“I completed my degree, and several other qualifications, while working in store.

“We have lots of team members on the same pathway – there really are fantastic opportunities here for the taking.

“When I first started out on work experience, and then as a Saturday assistant, I never dreamed that I would become a director one day.

“Here I am, though, and I’ve loved every minute of the journey.”

Specsavers is a partnership of almost 2,000 locally-run businesses throughout the world, all committed to delivering high quality, affordable optical and hearing care in the communities they serve.

Each store is part-owned and managed by its own joint venture partners who are supported by key specialists in support offices.

In the Bradford district there are five branches of Specsavers, at locations such as The Broadway in the city centre, Girlington, Shipley and Keighley, as well as the Idle store at Enterprise 5 Retail Park.

More than 36 million customers are registered with Specsavers and the partnership had a turnover of more than £2.2 billion in 2016/17.

To book an appointment at Specsavers or to find out about career opportunities, visit the Five Lane Ends store , call 01274 618847, or visit specsavers.co.uk/stores/idle.

The branch is open seven days a week.

Services offered include adult and children’s eye tests, as well as home eye tests, and audiology and contact lens services.