ANDREW MOLLE helped change the face of Specsavers. The marketing expert joined in 1995, when many of the things today synonymous with the optical giant were unheard of.

‘The company had no brand image back then,’ said the 57 year-old. ‘It had no designer frames, no national TV, radio or press coverage, no logo, no two-for-one deal, no double-ellipse logo, no consistency in how the stores looked.’

When the firm launched in 1984, the emphasis was on opening stores.

‘This was achieved very successfully through the huge energies of Doug and Mary Perkins,’ said Mr Molle.

‘From 1995, they started bringing in experienced personnel to help them with the next phase of company growth.

‘Specsavers is a marketing-led company. Everything starts with the marketing plan. Subject to board approval, we were the engine for numerous initiatives.’

Mr Molle’s remit was to retain and develop the firm’s retail market share in the British Isles and Republic of Ireland.

And the company’s massive expansion speaks volumes for his success. In 1995, the company had 200 stores. Last year, the firm had 561 in the BI and 31 in Ireland as well as 98 Hearcare outlets. Each store’s turnover is estimated at £1m.

The marketing department had also expanded, from 25 to 62.

But while this enormous growth is a measure of Mr Molle’s success, ironically it is what is causing him to leave.

Specsavers has already begun pushing into the international market.

The firm has a strong foothold abroad, with 79 outlets in the Netherlands, 59 in Sweden, 39 in Denmark and two in Spain. And Mr Molle feels pushing into the global market is not necessarily his strong point.

‘More energies are going into international retailing,’ he said.

‘I’ve done what I’m good at and I’m not necessarily the best man to take this forward any further.’

He leaves the company in July but has no plans to retire just yet. ‘I’m not going to sit at home and put my feet up,’ he said.

‘I’m going to look for companies that might appreciate my contribution as a non-executive director. If there is any way I could stay to make a contribution to the Guernsey economy, nothing would please me more.’

And the man who is used to working a 10-12-hour day, seven days a week, is beginning to wind down.

‘I’m a bit more relaxed. I’ve always been seen as very serious and very corporate. People might see I’m a little more relaxed now.’

Mr Molle paid tribute to the efforts of his staff – particularly his PA, Cathy Smith.

‘I will miss it – especially the people in my department, who have supported me 110% throughout,’ he said.