New accolade for Dame Mary

Thursday 27 September 2018

Dame Mary Perkins has been acknowledged as a Doctor of Law by the University of Bristol, marking her tenth honorary award.

The ceremony held at the University of Bristol on Thursday 19 July saw the Specsavers co-founder recognised for her eminent achievements and presented with her first Honorary Law Doctorate – she already holds similar accolades for her contributions to science and business and was also made an Honorary Doctor of Science by de Montfort University in Leicester this summer.

A spokesperson for the University of Bristol said: "Throughout her career, Dame Mary has operated on deeply rooted principles of sheer hard work, overwhelming empathy for people and making time for things that matter. She is a wonderful role model for our students and anyone who wishes to succeed in business. As the co-founder of an iconic brand that continues to grow and develop across the world, we were delighted to recognise her success with an Honorary Degree."

Dame Mary was delighted to be presented with the Doctorate.

"Receiving such a great honour from Bristol University, a university which is rated in the top 10 of UK universities, in the top three rated by leading employers and in the top five for research in the UK, is really quite the achievement. I am extremely proud to be recognised in my home town alongside all of the graduates."

Her early working life as a newly qualified optometrist began in Bristol in 1965, with Dame Mary working for an optical practice in St Nicholas Street. Two years later, she founded Bebbington and Perkins alongside her husband Doug Perkins, which quickly became the largest optical group in the west of England. The group of 23 stores were then sold in 1981 and three years later, the Specsavers brand was born.