From Bluewater to the Boardroom: Manjeet Sagoo’s Journey From Optometrist to BDM at Optegra Eye Hospitals

Manjeet Sagoo, Business Development Manager & Consulting Refractive Optometrist at Optegra.

Ever felt like the four walls of your testing room were closing in? Like you’ve mastered the 20-minute refraction, but there’s a nagging voice in your head asking, "Is this it? Is this the ceiling?"

It’s not. Trust me.

If you’re looking for a sign that your optical career can be so much more than "one or two?", this is it. Welcome to the first installment of "Behind the Scope: Profiles in UK Ophthalmology." Today, we’re diving into the incredible journey of Manjeet Sagoo: a woman who proved that clinical excellence and business brilliance aren't just compatible; they're a powerhouse combination.

The Bluewater Connection: Where It All Began

Before we get into the corporate strategy and the high-level boardroom meetings, let’s go back. Way back.

Our very own Krishna (the brains behind NeedAnOptom.com) and Manjeet go a long way back, and that Bluewater connection matters. They worked side-by-side in the fast-paced environments of Bluewater and Central London. Back then, Manjeet wasn't just a colleague; she was Krishna’s Optometrist Lead.

Picture it: a busy Saturday at Bluewater, back-to-back patients, and all the pressure that comes with a high-street multiple. That’s where their professional bond was forged. And that’s what makes this story feel properly full-circle now.

"From working together at Bluewater to now partnering through recruitment: it’s a full-circle story," Krishna says.

That Bluewater chapter isn’t just a nice backstory. It’s the thread that connects where they started to where they are now. In the UK optical sector, relationships are everything. True.

The Manjeet Sagoo Arc: A Masterclass in Evolution

Manjeet didn't just "stumble" into a Business Development Manager (BDM) role. She engineered it. Look at the track record:

• The Foundation: Senior Refractive Optometrist at Optical Express (2002–2016). That’s over a decade of honing clinical precision.
• The Leadership Pivot: Head of Optometry at Centre for Sight and Senior Optometrist at Specsavers.
• The Game Changer: An MBA with Distinction from the University of West London (2015–2017).

Let’s pause there. An MBA? For an Optometrist?

"The key here is recognizing that clinical skills are your foundation, but business acumen is your rocket fuel," says Manjeet.

While most people are content with their CET points, Manjeet was studying business modelling and organisational strategy. She didn't just want to treat patients; she wanted to understand how to build the systems that serve those patients better.

Since July 2022, she’s been the Business Development Manager & Consulting Refractive Optometrist at Optegra Eye Hospitals. She doesn't just work at one site; she leads the Private Patient Pathway across all UK Optegra sites.

Why Optegra is the Place to Be

If you haven't been keeping an eye on Optegra, you should. They are the UK’s largest dedicated eye hospital network. With over 15 locations nationwide: from North London and Birmingham to Manchester and Brighton: they are a clinical juggernaut.

Founded in 2007 and now part of the prestigious EssilorLuxottica group, Optegra has performed over 1.3 million procedures across its UK network. They boast a staggering 4.8/5 on Trustpilot. Why? Because they’re consultant-led and offer both NHS and private pathways for everything from cataract surgery to cutting-edge laser eye surgery like SMILE and Presbyond.

Manjeet’s role is to drive the adoption and quality of the Private Patient Pathway. She’s the bridge between the clinical team and the boardroom.

The A-Team Behind the Scenes

Now let’s add some proper context here. Manjeet isn’t operating in a vacuum. Day to day, she collaborates with a consultant roster that is seriously stacked. And that matters.

If you’re wondering why Optegra carries so much weight in UK ophthalmology, this is a big part of the answer. Their consultants are NHS-trained and Fellows of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCO), and the calibre across the group is obvious.

Here are some of the standout names behind the scenes:

• Mr Amir Hamid (Chief Medical Officer) – a hugely experienced cataract and refractive surgeon with 10,000+ cataract and laser refractive procedures to his name, including 1,500+ SMILE procedures. He’s also an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester, which tells you plenty about the level he operates at.

• Mr Alastair Stuart (Medical Director and Cataract & Refractive Surgeon) – another heavyweight. He has completed 2,000+ laser eye procedures, including 1,000+ SMILE treatments, alongside 8,000+ cataract and lens procedures. He trained at Moorfields, then completed a refractive surgery fellowship under Professor Reinstein at London Vision Clinic, and is also a Key Opinion Leader for Carl Zeiss Meditec.

• Mr Steven Naylor (NHS Cataract Lead Consultant) – a surgeon with 5,000+ ophthalmic procedures under his belt, including 3,500+ cataract surgeries. He was appointed UK NHS Lead for Cataract Surgery in February 2025 and also serves as Assistant Clinical Dean at Hull York Medical School. His work stretches across Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle, and York.

• Prof Konstantinos Balaskas – this is where things get really interesting. He joined Optegra in 2025 and brings a rare mix of retina expertise and cutting-edge tech leadership. He is Professor of Medical Artificial Intelligence at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Director of the Moorfields Clinical AI Lab, and a world-leading specialist in both medical retina and AI research.

• Mr Sajjad Mahmood (AMD Lead) – a key figure in macular care, known for leading award-winning macular services in Manchester. He contributes to national AMD standards with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and serves as NHS Lead for Medical Retina at Optegra.

• Dr Magdalena Edington (Junior Doctor Training Lead) – a high-volume cataract surgeon with 8,000+ cataract operations. She is the Lead Consultant for the Midlands and was appointed Training Lead in 2026, with a clear focus on developing the next generation of ophthalmic surgeons.

• Mr Robert Petrarca (NHS Glaucoma Lead) – the Glaucoma Clinical Lead across Optegra’s UK locations, including Manchester, Bradford, Nottingham, North London, and Kent. His role includes aligning clinical pathways with NICE guidance, which is exactly the sort of systems-thinking modern eye care needs.

• Mr Javad Moayedi (Lead Consultant, London) – based at Optegra Eye Hospital London, and previously Medical Director at Optegra. Another senior name with major influence across the London service.

• Mr Mike Adams – a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Optegra Guildford with more than 20 years in ophthalmology. He graduated from Cambridge (MBBChir, 2002) and also co-founded an efficient NHS cataract unit, which says a lot about both his clinical and operational mindset.

• Dr Maghizh Anandan – with advanced training in Oxford, a fellowship in Cornea, Refractive Surgery, and Glaucoma at Royal Perth Hospital, plus an honorary fellowship at Moorfields, he adds yet more depth to an already formidable bench.

The key here is this: Manjeet’s profile works even better when you see the company she keeps. Her role is commercial, strategic, and pathway-driven, yes, but it sits shoulder-to-shoulder with consultants who are shaping cataract, retina, glaucoma, refractive surgery, training, and even AI in ophthalmology.

That’s what makes her position at Optegra so interesting. She isn’t just supporting a business. She’s helping build pathways around some of the strongest surgical and clinical leadership in the sector.

The "Tough Love" Reality Check

Let’s have a look at your current situation. Are you waiting for a promotion to land in your lap?

It’s not going to happen.

Manjeet’s success comes from a systematic, objective approach to her career. She saw a gap: the need for clinical leads who understand the "bottom line": and she stepped into it.

Ask yourself: What is the worst-case scenario if you step out of your comfort zone?
You might fail? No. You might stay exactly where you are while the world moves on. That’s the real risk.

Think of it like a world-class athlete. Lewis Hamilton doesn't just know how to drive; he understands the mechanics of the car and the strategy of the race. If you want to win in optical careers, you need to understand the "mechanics" of the business.

What This Means for YOU

If you’re searching for an optometrist vacancy or browsing for optometrist jobs UK, don’t just look at the salary. Look at the pathway.

Manjeet’s story teaches us three vital lessons:

1. Specialisation is Power: Moving into refractive optometry and the private sector opens doors that traditional high-street retail might not.
2. Education Never Ends: Whether it's an MBA or a specialised clinical qualification, keep growing.
3. Relationships are Assets: The people you work with today at Bluewater or a local independent are your future network.

Your Personal Career Script

Not sure how to start the conversation about your career progression? Use this "script" next time you're talking to a recruiter or your manager:

"I’ve really enjoyed building my clinical foundation here, but I’m becoming increasingly interested in the commercial and operational side of the practice. I’d love to understand more about how our patient pathway is optimised: could I shadow that process?"

Simple. Direct. Professional.

Ready to Find Your "Full Circle" Story?

At NeedAnOptom.com, we aren't just an optical recruitment agency. We’re your career partners. We’ve seen the industry from the inside out: from the testing rooms of Bluewater to the boardrooms of the UK’s top hospitals.

Whether you're looking for optometry jobs in a boutique independent or a leadership role in a major hospital network like Optegra, we’ve got you.

Don’t wait for "someday." Someday is a placeholder for "never."

Let’s get you moving. Contact us today and let’s see where your scope can take you.

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