About D&A Recruitment

D&A - The Facts

Established 250 years ago, D&A is the oldest retail chain on the High Street. We are owned by De Rigo, one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of premium eyewear. The company has recently restructured in order to better support the way we operate and support our customers

• Dollond & Aitchison Ltd is the holding company with 3 wholly owned subsidiaries
• D&A Professional Services Ltd is responsible for the development of excellence in eyecare and service to our customers
• D&A Eyewear Ltd is responsible for the provision of frames, lenses and accessories
• D&A Contact Lenses Ltd is responsible for our CLBP business and Contact Lenses

From the support centre in Birmingham, D&A Ltd and its subsidiary companies support a network of almost 400 stores nationwide (including franchisees). All branches use qualified optometrists able to give comprehensive quality eyetests. We have a wide range of stylish quality eyewear (approx 1000 different frame styles in each store), contact lenses and accessories.

Personnel

D&A Ltd and its three subsidiary companies employ approx 3,000 people, including 600 qualified opticians and 250 dispensing opticians. 80% of staff are optical advisors and D&A professional services employs over 350 optometrists in addition to taking on around 60 graduate optometrists plus 40 dispensing optician/management trainees each year as part of a comprehensive training scheme. The D&A Group invests over £2m a year on training in stores and at its dedicated Training and Conference Centre in central Birmingham. All our new personal advisors undergo an intensive 3 month training programme followed by a planned programme of continuous development.

• 1998 D&A is taken over by De Rigo
• 2000 D&A's Styleyes service is granted Millennium product status;
  D&A's new flagship store in Hagley Road, Birmingham opens its doors to the public
• 2001 D&A sells its manufacturing arm to BBGR
  D&A restructures to better support its customers.