Vision Express laboratory manager Andrew Lane was a man with his eye on the prize at a glittering company awards evening.
Andrew, who works at the Vision Express store in Swansea’s busy Quadrant Centre, was presented with the prestigious 2011 Laboratory Manager of the Year award for the South and West region.
Andrew, 28, who beat off strong competition from 35 other Vision Express branches to take the coveted trophy, took up his role at the Swansea store, based at St David’s Arcade in the city’s Quadrant Centre, 10 years ago straight after qualifying as a laboratory operative.
Andrew, who is single and lives in Swansea, said: “I really enjoy the work I do here and we’re certainly kept busy at this branch.
“We handle about 180 orders a week in the laboratory – which is split roughly 50-50 between men’s and ladies’ spectacles.
“My job is to keep on top of all those orders and make sure the right spectacles get to the right people.
“It’s a great place to work and the store is beautiful too. It had a complete makeover and it looks great and it’s making a difference.
“The Quadrant is a busy place and we’ve got a fantastic selection of frames and new lines, the best in the area.
“The customers are nice here as well. Swansea is a very friendly place and we have lots of regulars and we’re very well-situated here right at the heart of the city and right by the bus station and Swansea Market.”
Swansea Vision Express manager Gill Thomas said: “It makes me very proud that Andrew won this award and warm congratulations to him.
“It shows the quality that is coming out of my store is superb.”
Ian Kirkpatrick, Manager of the Quadrant Shopping Centre, said: “Vision Express have been here in the Quadrant for many years and have a very loyal customer base.
“The store recently had a major refit which has left it looking very up-to-date and modern and getting this award is another real boost both to them and to the Centre.”
Andrew added: “In the awards, we were judged on our general level of performance and how efficiently we run our respective labs.
“I was delighted to win against some very good entrants from our other stores right across the region, which includes South Wales and the south-west of England.”
