Claire qualified as an Optometrist from the University of Manchester in 2001 after initially following a career as a radiographer. She trained and gained a wealth of experience with various multiple and independent opticians, before joining the family business in 2005.
For Claire it really is a family affair, being the third generation of Optometrists within the family, following on from both her mother and father and previously her grandfather. On her father’s retirement in 2011 Claire took over the running of the business exactly 30 years after her father had initially taken it on; firstly as Parker and Leach Opticians, but more recently as Parker Optometrists. She is now the sole owner.
Claire always wanted to work as a caring healthcare professional and to finally be at the helm of the family business is a dream come true. “I get particular pleasure from seeing patients that may have been seen in the past by my father or mother and to be able to provide a continuation of their eye care right up to the present day”.
Claire is married to Matthew and they have a son, Joshua. They enjoy traveling and walking their dogs together in their spare time.
Hannah is a local girl having graduated as an Optometrist from Anglia Ruskin University in 2016, after attending Downham Market High School.
She works as an Independent Prescribing Optometrist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn, as well as in private practice. She has completed the Professional Certificate in Glaucoma, through the University of Hertfordshire. Hannah has also been an Associate Lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge.
Hannah is married to Thomas and they have two girls, Amelia and Florence, as well as two labradors to keep them busy!
Briony SpenceleyBriony (Brie) started in optics, working as a ‘saturday girl’ from the age of 14 years old.
Lisa joined Parker Optometrists in 2024, bringing a wealth of knowledge about all things glasses, having worked for over 25 years as a Branch Manager of a local independent chain of Opticians.
She has a keen interest in good quality eyewear fitted with the latest in optical technology.
Lisa will always greet you with a warm welcome and she knows how important excellent customer service is!
Lisa lives with her partner Gary and daughter Scarlet, in Necton. She enjoys travelling with Gary in their VW Campervan, with Gary having his very own YouTube channel about their travels!
Lisa is also a very talented baker running her own cake baking business. She specialises in creating amazing Gluten Free masterpieces. We can all vouch for how tasty her cakes & tray bakes are…we just wish she would bring them in more often!!!
Jo was a patient with Parker Optometrists before she joined the team as receptionist in 2009; therefore she knows our practice from both sides of the desk and has trusted us with her eye care long before she had to!
Jo is local to Downham Market and is familiar to a good number of our patients and her friendly manner puts all who come through the door at their ease. There are not many people Jo doesn’t know in the town!
Prior to joining us Jo worked at a local primary school whilst also performing administration duties at a pet supplier, so she is living proof that it is possible to work with children and animals!
When relaxing, Jo enjoys watching motorcycle racing with her husband Graham. She has two grown-up children.
Ruth joins Parker Optometrists with many years of optical experience, working as an Optical Assistant. She enjoys helping customers choose their new spectacles and is highly knowledgable on lens advice and technology.
In her spare time, Ruth likes to spend time with her partner Ally and daughter Emily. Her hobbies include gardening, walking and swimming. She loves to feed the hedgehogs who visit her garden at night!
Sarah joined our team in 2022, having worked previously in optical practices and mental health. She has quickly settled in as a valued, friendly colleague. She has a keen eye for fashion and is interested in the latest optical styles.
Sarah is married to Duane, an ex army officer, and they have 6 children with Amber being their youngest. They also have two short haired dachshunds, Aggie and Dexter, formally called ‘Lord Dexter Long Bottom The Third!’
Katy is the newest member of the team, joining us as an Optical Receptionist in 2024. Katy is always friendly, polite and greets you with a smile! She too has a key eye for fashion and likes to try the latest styles.
She is a local girl, having studied at Downham Market High School and now lives in West Dereham. She loves her animals, having previously owned a cattery. At the last count, she lives with two dogs, two cats and a rabbit!
Hayley started working in the optical sector in 2012 as a Contact Lens Supervisor and Adminstrator. She continued her training, and qualified as an Optical Clinical Assistant in 2015 and then completed her further training to become an Optical Dispensing Assistant in 2016.
More recently she has worked as an Optical Healthcare Assistant at Anglia Community Eye Services (ACES) in Wisbech. She worked there for 7 years. Hayley brings her vast clinical and dispensing knowledge to Parker Optometrists.
Hayley is married to Stewart and has two girls called Amelia & Isabella. They also share their busy household with two dogs, Jet & Fred.
Hayley enjoys family days out, dog walking and baking. When she has any free time she loves building Lego flowers which apparently look very similar to the real thing!
