Mary Perkins
Encyclopedia
Dame Mary Lesley Perkins, DBE (born 14 February 1944) is co-founder and a senior executive of Specsavers
, a leading bricks and mortar United Kingdom eyeglass company
.
The wife of Specsavers co-founder and chairman Doug Perkins, they have three children, all of whom work for Specsavers, and are eventually expected to take over the privately owned company.
in Bristol. She then went to Cardiff University
to train as an optometrist. At Cardiff, she met Doug Perkins, whom she would later marry. The couple established their first business in Bristol in the 1960s. This was a chain of opticians around Bristol, which they sold for £2 million in 1980, and continue to receive income from. After the sale the couple moved to Guernsey
, where Mary's father had retired.
The accolade was also in recognition of her other charitable
work, including the Guernsey annual "Specsavers Liberation Tea Dance for pensioners", and her directorship of Women's Refuge and Age Concern
. She was also awarded the Spirit of Everywoman Award in 2006.
Perkins is patron to leading children's charity Kidscape
Perkins was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire
in 2007.
Specsavers
Specsavers Optical Group Ltd is the biggest optical retailer in the UK and Ireland. It is also the biggest of the four major opticians that control 70% of the British market for spectacles and contact lenses, with Specsavers having a 39% share of the market...
, a leading bricks and mortar United Kingdom eyeglass company
UK Opticians (retailers)
In the United Kingdom, businesses that sell prescription spectacles and contact lenses are referred to as 'opticians', after the profession of that name...
.
The wife of Specsavers co-founder and chairman Doug Perkins, they have three children, all of whom work for Specsavers, and are eventually expected to take over the privately owned company.
Early life
She attended Fairfield Grammar SchoolFairfield Grammar School
Fairfield Grammar School was a secondary school in Bristol, England, founded in 1898 as Fairfield Secondary and Higher Grade School. It became a grammar school in 1945 and closed in 2000, to be replaced by a new comprehensive, Fairfield High School, at first on the same site, but now located in...
in Bristol. She then went to Cardiff University
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a leading research university located in the Cathays Park area of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. It received its Royal charter in 1883 and is a member of the Russell Group of Universities. The university is consistently recognised as providing high quality research-based...
to train as an optometrist. At Cardiff, she met Doug Perkins, whom she would later marry. The couple established their first business in Bristol in the 1960s. This was a chain of opticians around Bristol, which they sold for £2 million in 1980, and continue to receive income from. After the sale the couple moved to Guernsey
Guernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
, where Mary's father had retired.
Specsavers
Mary and Doug Perkins established Specsavers in Guernsey in 1984. In 2007 it was the largest privately owned opticians in the world, with nearly 900 stores across the UK and Europe. Her current title at Specsavers is "founder". Dame Mary sits on the company board, oversees business development and has particular responsibility for running PR. She has admitted donning disguises and visiting Specsavers stores, posing as a customer.Awards and honours
Perkins was made an honorary fellow of Cardiff University in 2005. The same year she received the Rotary International Community and Vocational Service Award for her services to charity and in 2006 won the inaugural Spirit of everywoman Award. Mary Perkins was the first female optician in the UK to receive the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. It was awarded in recognition of her services to business and to the community in Guernsey. After receiving the accolade she commented:The accolade was also in recognition of her other charitable
Charity (practice)
The practice of charity means the voluntary giving of help to those in need who are not related to the giver.- Etymology :The word "charity" entered the English language through the Old French word "charité" which was derived from the Latin "caritas".Originally in Latin the word caritas meant...
work, including the Guernsey annual "Specsavers Liberation Tea Dance for pensioners", and her directorship of Women's Refuge and Age Concern
Age Concern
Age Concern was the banner title used by a number of charitable organisations specifically concerned with the needs and interests of all older people based chiefly in the four countries of the United Kingdom....
. She was also awarded the Spirit of Everywoman Award in 2006.
Perkins is patron to leading children's charity Kidscape
Kidscape
The London-based charity Kidscape was established in 1985 by child psychologist Michele Elliott. Its focus is on children’s safety, with an emphasis on the prevention of harm by equipping children with techniques and mindsets that help them stay safe....
Perkins was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 2007.