Specsavers has reached a key milestone in its commitment to growing future partners, celebrating the 50th intake of its store partner development program, Pathway Program.
The program is a bespoke initiative designed to prepare optometrists and retail leaders for partnership across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ).
Since launching in 2012, the program has produced more than 800 graduates. Today, Pathway alumni represent more than half of Specsavers’ partner base, which the organisation said underscored its role in building sustainable leadership within the network.
As Intake 50 begins, 25 new participants join the growing pipeline of optometry and retail leaders.
“Opening Pathway Intake 50 was a humbling milestone that reflects our long-term commitment to developing future partners,” said Raj Sundarjee, Specsavers director of professional recruitment ANZ.
“It continues to be one of our strongest engines for frontline leadership and long‑term retention, a testament to creating a workplace where people want to be.”
Kimberley Forbes, partnership recruitment manager ANZ, said the intake was a significant moment for the business.
“Seeing the next 25 future partners begin their journey highlights how far the program has come, and the strength of the team who deliver it,” she said in a media release on 30 June 2026.
The Pathway Program is a six-month development journey combining in-person and online learning, focused on self-leadership, team leadership, commercial acumen, and operational excellence.
Intake 50 includes 25 participants from across Australia and New Zealand – 11 optometrists and 14 retail leaders. They were identified through development programs such as the Specsavers Graduate Program and the Manager Ascent Program (MAP), talent planning and partner nominations.
For many participants, the program represents a shift from clinical or operational roles into broader business leadership, Specsavers said.
Deanna Borello, now optometrist partner at Specsavers Rundle Mall, Adelaide, SA, said the program reshaped her career direction.
“As an optometrist, Pathway introduced a business mindset that fundamentally changed how I view running a store,” she said. “It gave me the confidence and capability to step into partnership.”
Retail partner Tom Byrnes, Specsavers Toowong, Brisbane, Queensland, highlighted the mindset shift required when moving into ownership.
“The biggest change was moving from retail manager to business owner,” he said. “I had long-standing relationships with my team, but stepping into partnership meant leading with clearer expectations while staying authentic. It’s the same role – just with broader accountability.”
A consistent theme among Pathway graduates is the program’s emphasis on people leadership and culture, Specsavers adds.
Claire Page, retail partner at Specsavers Mount Hutton, Lake Macquarie, NSW, and an early Pathway participant, said the program’s investment in individuals was a standout.
“It was an environment where people were genuinely seen, developed and challenged. That had a lasting impact on how I lead today,” she said.
With more than half of Specsavers’ partners now developed internally, the network said Pathway remained a central pillar of succession planning and network growth across ANZ.
“Pathway is one of our strongest opportunities to invest in our people and continue to provide leadership opportunities,” said Forbes. “It ensures we continue to develop partners who can deliver high-quality patient care while leading successful, sustainable businesses.”
