Hakim Group hosts ABDO leaders at Darwen headquarters for dispensing optics centenary

The Hakim Group (HG) welcomed Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) president Brenda Rennie and chief executive Alistair Bridge to its Darwen, Lancashire headquarters as part of celebrations marking 100 years of the dispensing optician profession. The visit included a listening session with more than 50 participants from HG’s network, covering career progression, lens developments, emerging technologies, and patient expectations. HG founder Imran Hakim emphasized the technical and clinical expertise of dispensing opticians in independent practices. Gillian Twyning, HG clinical governance manager and ABDO board member, highlighted the significance of recognizing the profession’s achievements. HG operates nearly 600 independent practices across the UK, Ireland, and Channel Islands, focusing on professional development and career pathways within eyecare.