Meet the Team
Rachel
owner/optometrist
Rachel was born in Yorkshire, and studied Optometry and Vision Sciences at UMIST in Manchester, and completed her pre registration year in Leeds before passing her Professional Qualifying Examinations in 1996.
After living and working in Yorkshire for a while, then in and around Manchester and the North West, she moved to Devon in 2006.
She has worked in all Optical environments both large multiples and small independent practices, finally settling in the Independent World, around twenty or so years ago.
Rachel and her partner Richard set up South Molton Eyecare in May 2019, Rachel is the Optometrist and deals with all things clinical and Richard is the fixer when anyone breaks anything.
She lives with Richard and her stepson and a crazy clinger spaniel in Torrington.
In her spare time she enjoys being outside with the dog, appreciating nature and cherishes time with family and friends.
After living and working in Yorkshire for a while, then in and around Manchester and the North West, she moved to Devon in 2006.
She has worked in all Optical environments both large multiples and small independent practices, finally settling in the Independent World, around twenty or so years ago.
Rachel and her partner Richard set up South Molton Eyecare in May 2019, Rachel is the Optometrist and deals with all things clinical and Richard is the fixer when anyone breaks anything.
She lives with Richard and her stepson and a crazy clinger spaniel in Torrington.
In her spare time she enjoys being outside with the dog, appreciating nature and cherishes time with family and friends.
Philip
Optometrist
Philip is an experienced optometrist with over three decades in clinical practice. After graduating from Glasgow Caledonian University, he built a diverse career spanning independent, hospital and multiple practice settings across the South of England and Wales. Over the years, he has developed a particular interest in complex and specialist contact lens fitting.
Philip brings a meticulous yet personable approach to his work, taking time to understand each patient’s individual needs and ensuring they feel fully informed and cared for. He believes that the best outcomes in eye care come from combining clinical precision with empathy - an approach that he feels has earned him the trust of patients and colleagues alike.
Outside the consulting room, Philip runs a smallholding where he keeps sheep, pigs, ducks, chickens and geese. Passionate about food and ingredients, and drawing on his Portuguese heritage, he grows, rears and prepares much of what he cooks, with a special love for Iberian cuisine.
Helen
dispensing optician
Helen was born in Tiverton and joined a local independent practice as a receptionist in 2003 after completing her A levels.
After a year she went on to enrol with the Association of British Dispensing Opticians to train as a Dispening Optician.
She passed her professional qualifying examinations in 2007 gaining her fellowship diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing and the distinguishing initials FBDO.
Helen is experienced in all aspects of the practice from glazing, adjustments and repairs , contact lens tuition and of course spectacle lenses.
She has a particular passion for children’s Eyecare and prides herself on providing the very best patient care and experience. She has spent her career working in independent practice and loves the bespoke, personal approach it allows her to provide for her patients.
In her spare time she enjoys time spent with family and friends, especially in the great outdoors. She can often be found paddleboarding or horseriding with her daughter.
After a year she went on to enrol with the Association of British Dispensing Opticians to train as a Dispening Optician.
She passed her professional qualifying examinations in 2007 gaining her fellowship diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing and the distinguishing initials FBDO.
Helen is experienced in all aspects of the practice from glazing, adjustments and repairs , contact lens tuition and of course spectacle lenses.
She has a particular passion for children’s Eyecare and prides herself on providing the very best patient care and experience. She has spent her career working in independent practice and loves the bespoke, personal approach it allows her to provide for her patients.
In her spare time she enjoys time spent with family and friends, especially in the great outdoors. She can often be found paddleboarding or horseriding with her daughter.
Graham
dispensing optician
Graham joined the team in January 2024 covering holidays and then joined us more regularly in May 2024. He qualified as a Dispensing Optician in 1997 undertaking his training with Dolland and Aitchison. He managed a number of their practices before moving into the Independent sector.
Graham moved to Bude from Dorset in 2021 where he lives with Natasha and their children Monty and Mabel.
When he is not in work Graham plays cricket for Holsworthy Cricket club and is an avid supporter of Dorchester Town Football Club. He loves walking his dogs Oshi and Noco often via a real ale establishment.
Graham moved to Bude from Dorset in 2021 where he lives with Natasha and their children Monty and Mabel.
When he is not in work Graham plays cricket for Holsworthy Cricket club and is an avid supporter of Dorchester Town Football Club. He loves walking his dogs Oshi and Noco often via a real ale establishment.
Sean
dispensing optician
Sean joined the practice team in May 2024, as an additional Dispensing Optician. He was born in the Isle of Skye in Scotland, and his family moved to Torrington when he was four years old. After school he progressed onto Petroc College and was awarded a foundation degree in Human Biosciences. He has worked within the Optical sector for the last ten years as both an Optical Assistant and a Lab technician, finally deciding to combine his skills and study to become a fully qualified Dispensing Optician, which he completed in 2024. He is registered with Association of British Dispensing Opticians and the General Optical Council.
Sean loves travelling and is always planning his next adventure. He is a trained fencer and kick boxer and in between holidays he spends time in the gym. He lives in Barnstaple with his partner Emma.
Lisa
optical assistant
Lisa went to Winkleigh primary school, then Chulmleigh Community College. On leaving school she gained an apprenticeship place with an Independent Opticians in Mid Devon. There she gained level 2 Optical Receptionist and more recently in 2019 level 4 Optical Practice support.
Lisa fulfilled the role of Practice manager from 2019 working tirelessly within the business to support our start up, making sure all NHS requirements for holding a contract were fulfilled, and keeping Rachel on the “paperwork” straight and narrow. In December 2022 she was blessed with her first grandchild and in June 2023 she stepped down from her role as practice manager, needing more time to support her ever growing family.
Lisa is still a key member of our team, and is found ever cheerful on our reception desk, she is a very experienced (30 years) Optical Assistant and still organises us all.
She lives with her husband, daughter and dog in Winkleigh.
In her spare time she enjoys socialising with family and friends, going to the gym, and is an avid supporter of Exeter Chiefs
Chelsi
Optical Assistant
Chelsi joined the team in May 2022 for Saturday mornings and holiday cover whilst studying for her A levels in Graphic communication, 3D design and Mathematics. Fortunately for the practice she agreed to stay on full time after her A levels and in September 2023 she enrolled onto the eighteen month Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship through Exeter College, and alongside this to bolster her Optical knowledge completed the Optical Assistant course through the Association of British Dispensing Opticians. Never one to turn down a challenge she began her CMI level 5 certificate in Management and Leadership which she completed in June 2025.
Chelsi has a very varied skillset, and the quirky inventive window displays are all hers, she has taken on the practice Marketing, and the majority of the administration.
Chelsi enjoys travel, family and keeping fit. She bakes a mean flapjack, and loves to cook taking her inspiration from some of the places she has visited.
Chelsi has a very varied skillset, and the quirky inventive window displays are all hers, she has taken on the practice Marketing, and the majority of the administration.
Chelsi enjoys travel, family and keeping fit. She bakes a mean flapjack, and loves to cook taking her inspiration from some of the places she has visited.