About
Us

Wessex Optical is Boots Opticians’ biggest franchise, with seven practices across Dorset, Hampshire and Staffordshire.

Leading Optical Company

Wessex Optical is known for their innovative approach to eye care and our continuous use of new and improved technologies. Along with our commitment to provide the best eye care for customers, Wessex Optical has made its way to be one of the leading opticians through many awards, including:

Boots New Milton Practice of the Year in 2018 and 2019, Great British Entrepreneur Award 2023 finalist, Boots Inspirational Leader Award 2023, and finalist of the Boots Care Award 2022.

A wealth of experience

Boots Opticians is the leading optical solution provider in the UK with more than 600 stores – and we’re proud to be a part of this great company. After establishing our first optical franchise in New Milton, Wessex Optical went on to open in Wimborne, Bournemouth, Weymouth, Romsey, Lymington and Uttoxeter. With specialist expertise from our team of ophthalmologists and optometrists, you’ll see the world through different eyes!

We’re going places

Zabir aims to have 15 – 20 practices, creating not only Optician Practices but Centres of Excellence for Eyecare, offering levels of care/treatment traditionally only available in hospitals, reducing demand on NHS service.

Zabir has built up remarkable teams, in all his practices, who are immensely skilled, highly qualified and dedicated to delivering exceptional customer care. Each branch is led by a Practice Manager, includes fully-qualified Optometrists, Dispensing Opticians and Optical Consultants.

Leading by example, Zabir is often seen working alongside his team as an optometrist, and ensures all employees are motivated and inspired to provide the highest level of service and care.

A ‘Can do approach’

Zabir’s major focus is to establish his practices as eye health care hubs that provide all treatments under one roof. All of the practices are state-of-the-art fully-fitted centres, utilising the very best technology in all aspects of eye care using world class diagnostic services, consultations and procedures.

His vivid imagination constantly pushes him towards turning his ideas into reality. Zabir is a good people manager because he has the ability to see what may lie ahead and then communicate his vision to others and get them onside. He is quick to spot opportunities and see how they can be turned to an advantage.

In addition, Wessex Optical also undertake local community initiatives and have worked with and supported local organisations such as –

Holocaust Memorial in Bournemouth
‘Cataracts Are Curable’ charity in The Gambia
Christchurch Food and Furniture Bank
Macmillan Cancer Specialists
Children In Need

An Environment of Excellence

A thriving Optical business, Zabir has fostered an environment full of success. Alongside his multiple practices, he has collected a range of awards and nominations for entrepreneurship, leadership and community work, including:

In 2014, 2016 and 2018 – Zabir won the Boots Business Performance Awards
In 2019 Zabir won Boots Inspirational Leader Award
In 2021 New Milton were Multiple Practice of the Year finalists at the Optician Awards.
In 2022 Zabir won Boots Inspirational Leader Award
In 2022 Zabir was a finalist in the national Great British Entrepreneur Awards
In 2023 Zabir is shortlisted in the national Great British Entrepreneur Awards

Our People

Zabir Ali

Founder

Karen Ferris

Operations Director

Andy Bruce

Finance Director

Charu Taneja

People & Culture Manager

Becky Philpott

Business Manager

Steph Littlewood

Practice Manager

Sofiane Bouadimi

Practice Manager

Samuel Blick

Practice Manager

Megan Barter

Practice Manager