From Optical Assistant to People and Development Manager: Chrissie Parton celebrates ten years at Specsavers Macclesfield
Specsavers in Macclesfield is celebrating an important milestone as people and development manager Chrissie Parton marks 10 years of service with the store, a decade that has taken her from the shop floor to a role at the heart of the team’s wellbeing, growth and culture.
Chrissie joined Specsavers Macclesfield in 2016 with no previous optical experience. Within 18 months she had achieved both her Level 3 and Level 4 in-house optical qualifications, a testament to the commitment she brought from the very beginning. From there, Chrissie progressed into the administrative side of the business before moving into an in-store training role, supporting new starters and existing colleagues as they developed their careers, while overseeing the store’s apprenticeship programme.
During that time, Chrissie took maternity leave to welcome her daughter Dottie, returning to Specsavers while simultaneously completing a degree in psychology and juggling her career. That qualification proved to be a turning point. Her role evolved to incorporate a leading responsibility for the emotional and personal wellbeing of the team alongside professional development, reflecting both her own growth and a wider shift in how the business supports its people.
Today, Chrissie leads on colleague wellbeing, career development, training and the social life of the store. Alongside colleague and community coordinator Leia Murray, she plans and heads up Specsavers Macclesfield’s charity activities, from squat challenges and bake sales to walking challenges, helping to bring the team together and celebrate their achievements. Outside of work, Chrissie enjoys reading, running and spending time with family and friends and is setting her sights on the London Marathon next year.
Chrissie said:
“What I enjoy most about my role is the individuals I get to work with. I have the pleasure of working with the most fantastic team. There is a huge range of characters and personalities and getting to know them on the level I have, both professionally and personally, is something that is quite unique to what I do.”
“I am most proud of being able to guide and support my colleagues through their career development and through their own personal journeys. Seeing them grow, learn and take on new challenges is something that never gets old. Ten years has gone quickly but I am so grateful for the support I have had every step of the way, including when I was completing my degree alongside coming back from maternity leave. That support made all the difference.”
Angharad Butler, store director at Specsavers Macclesfield, added:
“Chrissie is incredibly important to this team because she is caring, approachable and always there for others. She is the person everyone turns to for advice or support, and she has a genuine gift for making people feel valued, listened to and understood.”
“What really stands out about Chrissie’s journey is her passion for training and development. She genuinely cares about helping people grow and reach their full potential and, as part of the management team, she brings real business acumen alongside that. Reaching 10 years reflects her dedication, loyalty and the positive impact she has had on so many people here. It is a testament to the consistency, care and commitment she brings every single day.”
Chrissie joins colleagues Craig Wollaston, Kelly Webster and Nicola Hughes in celebrating significant service milestones in 2026, continuing what has been a landmark year for long service at the Macclesfield store.
Specsavers Macclesfield is located at Unit 2/3, Mill Street Mall, Grosvenor Centre, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 6AJ and is open Monday to Saturday from 8.30am to 5.30pm and on Sundays from 9am to 5pm.
To book an appointment or speak to a member of the team at Specsavers Macclesfield, visit www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/macclesfield or call 01625 501111.