Mary Perkins running PR. She has admitted donning disguises and visiting Specsavers stores, posing as a customer. Perkins was made an honorary fellow of Cardiff University in 2005. The same year she received the "Rotary International Community and Vocational Service Award" for her services to charity and in 2006 won the inaugural Spirit of everywoman Award. Perkins was the first female optician in the UK to receive the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2007. The accolade was also in recognition of her other charitable work, including the Guernsey annual "Specsavers Liberation Tea Dance for
Federation of (Ophthalmic and Dispensing) Opticians 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 in a competitive environment. In the UK, they are founder members of the