From Guernsey office to Windsor Castle: Doug Perkins gets CBE

Doug Perkins has been presented with his Commander of the British Empire title by the Princess Royal.

Specsavers co-founder and chairman Doug Perkins received his CBE at Windsor Castle on Wednesday (14 January).

He was accompanied by his wife, Dame Mary Perkins, and their daughters Cathryn and Julie, as Princess Anne presented the honour.

The medal was awarded for his services to business and trade.

Born in Wales in 1943, Doug qualified as an optometrist from Cardiff College of Advanced Technology in 1965, where he met Mary.

The couple later moved to Guernsey and launched Specsavers in 1984.

Specsavers is now the world’s largest private provider of eye and hearing care, with more than 2,800 stores worldwide and global recognition for its “Should’ve Gone to Specsavers” slogan.

Doug still goes into the Guernsey office every day.

Their son John Perkins has become Specsavers CEO, and four of their seven grandchildren are involved in the organisation.

Doug says the ceremony at Windsor Castle was thrilling.

"It was really fortuitous that the investiture was hosted by the Princess Royal as she is familiar with Specsavers, having visited our manufacturing and distribution site in Kidderminster recently.

"She appeared genuinely interested in the work that we do in the community and understood about our joint venture business model.

"The entire ceremony was so well organised considering the enormous number of people attending and I came away extremely motivated by our conversation.

"This award isn’t really for me – it’s recognition of the 45,000 people who work for Specsavers and our ophthalmic surgery business Newmedica and their dedication to changing people’s lives through better sight and hearing.

"Together, we have achieved so much since we began the business more than 40 years ago from pretty humble beginnings and it’s really quite incredible that we are now offering our services to 48 million people as far afield as Canada and New Zealand, and have a robust supply chain that spans the world from the UK and Europe to Asia Pacific.

"None of that could have been achieved without loyal, hardworking, visionary colleagues and partners."

Dame Mary Perkins received her own honour from the late Queen in 2007 for services to business and charity in Guernsey.

Dame Mary Perkins and Doug Perkins celebrating 40 years of Specsavers at the Guernsey Headquarters in February 2024