EyeQ Optometrists and National Optical Care (NOC) have decided to go their separate ways following a strategic business alliance that lasted two years.
A statement issued said: EyeQ Optometrists and National Optical Care (NOC) have confirmed that their current Strategic Business Alliance, which commenced in November 2020, is reaching the end of its initial two-year term.
The alliance was originally conceived during the COVID interrupted period, with a goal to support mutual growth plans and explore business opportunities, leveraging both financial and operational resources of each entity. This proved successful with numerous business innovations and strong practice growth achieved for each company, the statement said.
With these goals completed and the worst of COVID now behind us, EyeQ and NOC have decided to again separately focus on the development of their own respective practice communities. As such, Jason Gowie will be leaving his role as joint CEO of EyeQ and NOC to take up a non- Executive Director role with NOC, with Tomas Steenackers taking the helm at NOC.
Ray Fortescue will resume operational responsibility of EyeQ, within his current role as Executive Chairman, while Lily Wegrzynowski will return to an EyeQ focus as General Manager Optometry and People.
Ms Wegrzynowski said practices acquired during the two-year alliance remain owned by the purchasing company. “In some cases, they are EyeQ and in others NOC owned. This includes EyeQ’s five unbranded practices that will now be managed by EyeQ but retain their independent brands,” she said.