A new alliance between Australian optometry groups National Optical Care (NOC) and EyeQ Optometrists has sparked personnel changes involving the CEOs of both entities.
In November 2020 it was revealed NOC was joining the EyeQ group as an unbranded franchise. NOC’s 14 locations have increased the total national network to 40 practices in all states and territories, except the Northern Territory.
By joining EyeQ, NOC’s practices – primarily located on the eastern seaboard – hope to benefit from managed services provided by the EyeQ franchise network support office. The companies viewed EyeQ’s expertise in optometry and NOC’s experience in business growth as an ideal opportunity to create an alliance that leverages the strong trading conditions experienced since mid-2020.
In recent months, EyeQ’s National Office and the NOC Support Office have been working on several shared projects.
As a result of these changes, EyeQ announced its CEO Mr Ray Fortescue will now chair a new joint-committee. The committee will oversee the operations of the EyeQ Optometrists/NOC Alliance. He will remain as chairman of the EyeQ board, as well as a clinical optometrist at the EyeQ Ramsgate Beach practice.
“To support my broader focus, the current CEO of NOC, Jason Gowie, will take on the shared responsibility as CEO of both NOC and EyeQ and will report directly to me as chairman of the Executive Committee of the Alliance,” he said, adding that the changed roles will be effective 1 April.
“The goal is to further grow the combined organisation to deliver the size and strength which will ensure a bright business future. EyeQ’s ethos as Local experts in Eyecare, providing Eyes for Life and preserving the ideals of independent optometry will continue unchanged.”
The combined EyeQ and NOC Network offers several options to independent optometrists, including corporate career, franchise associate, managed services, succession planning and acquisition opportunities.
For more information, contact EyeQ’s chief business development manager Ms Lily Wegrzynowski 0488 154 682 or NOC CEO Mr Jason Gowie 0448 821 351.
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