EyeQ Optometrists and National Optical Care (NOC) are parting ways next month, ending a two-year alliance.
The decision means there will now be 25 EyeQ practices, and 21 NOC practices.
The companies have confirmed that their current Strategic Business Alliance, which commenced in November 2020, is reaching the end of its initial two-year term.
Their strategic alliance was originally conceived during COVID, with a goal to support mutual growth plans and explore business opportunities, leveraging both financial and operational resources of each entity.
In an announcement on 20 October, EyeQ and NOC said their alliance proved successful with numerous business innovations and strong practice growth achieved for each company.
“With these goals completed and the worst of COVID now behind us, EyeQ and NOC have decided the time is right to separately focus on the development of their own respective practice communities,” they said.
In line with the decision, Mr Jason Gowie will be leaving his role as joint CEO of EyeQ and NOC to take up a non-executive director role with NOC, with Mr Tomas Steenackers taking the helm at NOC.
Mr Ray Fortescue will resume operational responsibility of EyeQ, within his current role as executive chairman, while Ms Lily Wegrzynowski will return to an EyeQ focus as general manager of optometry and people.
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