Scrivens celebrates trio of golden anniversaries

Three employees at Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care have celebrated ‘Golden’ anniversaries of more than 50 years each with the company.

Scrivens was a Midlands-focused business 50 years ago, with 40 branches. In 2024, the company now has 168 practices nationwide.

Professional services director, Jeet Saimbi, from Solihull, joined the business as a pre-reg dispensing optician, before qualifying as a dispensing and contact lens optician.

Saimbi began a career in management through Scrivens’ Kingstanding and Ward End practices, before moving to head up the group’s contact lens business. She was appointed to the Board of Directors in 1996.

Commenting on her career journey, Saimbi described the experience of “growing” alongside Scrivens.

“Much has changed in terms of technology on both the optical and hearing care side of the business, but we have never lost sight of our roots by remaining committed to providing accessible community services, including NHS provision, on High Streets up and down the country,” she said.

Luke Warrican, quality control supervisor at Scrivens’ lens manufacturer, Mersona Ltd, in Halesowen, started as a 19-year-old apprentice fitting lenses to spectacle frames.

Warrican reflected that achieving a team leadership role (known as ‘leading hand’) 30 years ago was his proudest career moment.

Sharing his connection to the company, he said: “I was newly married when I joined Scrivens and soon became a father, so I was driven to do the best I could and provide for my growing family. Fast forward a few years and my three children were still young when my late wife became ill and I needed flexible working to look after everyone. I have never forgotten the help I was given when I needed it most, which is why I have stayed loyal to the company for so long.”

Warrican has seven grandchildren and has no immediate plans to retire.

Tad Rogozinski, management accountant, also marked a 50-year anniversary with the company. Having celebrated the milestone, Rogozinski has now retired.

Nicholas Georgevic, Scrivens chairman, said: “To reach 50 years of service is an incredible milestone. All three are highly valued members of the Scrivens team and have contributed so much to our success. We wish Tad a happy retirement and look forward to benefitting from the continued wisdom and professionalism of Jeet and Luke.”

Pictured: Nicholas Georgevic, Tad Rogozinski, Jeet Saimbi, Luke Warrican, and director Mark Georgevic