Mary Perkins 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. 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. By 2011 the company had an annual turnover of £1.5bn and over 30,000 staff in markets in the UK, Europe and Australasia. Her current title at Specsavers is "founder". Dame Mary sits on the company board, oversees business development and has particular responsibility for
Federation of (Ophthalmic and Dispensing) Opticians Optical Confederation and supporters of Vision 2020 UK and the UK Vision Strategy. Federation of (Ophthalmic and Dispensing) Opticians The Federation of (Ophthalmic and Dispensing) Opticians is a trade organisation representing eye care providers and registered opticians in business in the UK and Republic of Ireland. It was founded in 1985. The members of the Association deliver over three quarters of market activity and two thirds of eye examinations in the UK and 55 per cent in the Republic of Ireland. Its aim is to achieve eye health for all, delivered through world-class services, provided by regulated community-based professionals operating