Meet our fantastic team
Clare Downes
Owner/Optometrist
Having built the practice from scratch in 2008, Downes Opticians was Clare’s first ‘baby’! The practice’s strong moral and ethical values come from Clare’s mantra to “treat everyone as if they were a member of your family.” Clare has over 20 years experience and is currently studying for her Independent Prescribing diploma.
Sophie Campbell
Practice Manager/Optometrist
Sophie is qualified in Independent Prescribing and has a Masters in Primary Ophthalmology. She thrives on helping people to see better through their eyewear and treating a wide variety of eye conditions.
Rachael Adam
Assistant Manager
A self-professed people lover, Rachael is ideally suited to the role of Assistant Manager utilising her talents with our lovely patients – she certainly keeps everyone happy.
Kate Gamley
Dispensing Manager
Kate has worked in Optics since the early 90’s with a large part of her career at Black and Lizars. She is just about to qualify as a Dispensing Optician and is looking forward to utilising her advanced technical knowledge, with her sociable and funky personality, to find the perfect eyewear solution for our clients.
Clare
Dispensing Consultant
Clare has worked in Optics for over 20 years and has a wealth of experience from both multiple and independent Opticians. She adores working with bespoke materials and frame designs and finds utter joy in tailoring spectacle lenses to our clients’ needs.
Camilla Larghi
Trainee Dispensing Optician
Camilla is currently studying to become a qualified Dispensing Optician. She loves the technical aspect of her work, and the rewarding feeling she gets making clients feel beautiful throughout frame and lens selection.
Christie Shaughnessy
Optical Receptionist
Christie is the newest member of our team and she’s getting us into shape with her superior organisational skills. She loves working in our practice, especially getting to know our patients and seeing how happy they are with their new eyewear.