The Company

The Spectacle Makers' Company (WCSM) maintains its close links with the optical sector.

Although it sees itself as being "Of Optics", rather than "In Optics", its members continue to hold prominent positions on the governing bodies of the various optical regulatory and representative organizations, many of which it helped to establish. The Company also offers its facilities at Apothecaries' Hall as "neutral territory" where contentious issues within optics may be debated openly and amicably under the chairmanship of its officers. With an increasing number of Fellows of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists joining its membership, the WCSM can also help to break down barriers between optometry and ophthalmology.

The WCSM is a major provider of training for optical technicians and optical practice support staff, and has been accredited by the Regulatory Bodies of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland as an Awarding Body. It offers nationally recognised qualifications which have been accredited to the Qualifications and Credit Framework for England, Northern Ireland and Wales and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework.

On top of this, the Company is building a new charitable fund to allow it to give even greater support to research into the causes of visual impairment (and their cures), and to assist other charities that look after those already affected by it.

To discover more about the WCSM's work today, and its history, please click on the links above right.

Thanksgiving, Remembrance and Rededication

On October 3rd 2012 the Master and Wardens for the ensuing year were appointed at the annual service of Thanksgiving, Remembrance and Rededication at St Brides, Fleet Street.

The Master – Gordon Jones: Upper Warden – Christopher Hunt: Renter Warden - Christine Tomkins

As is the Spectacle Makers' custom - and as shown below - the Master presented both the Lord Mayor Alderman Wooton and the Lady Mayoress with "products of our time honoured craft", which had been very kindly provided by Liveryman Ivan Wainer.