Jack Brown started as an optical workshop apprentice in 1958. After completing his apprenticeship Jack studied at night school 3 nights a week to achieve the university entrance qualifications, and then studied full-time for his degree.

In 1972 when working with Prescotts in Lothian Road Edinburgh, he joined the staff of the Princess Alexandria Eye Pavilion as a sessional optician working with Professor Phillips and the other consultants. Jack stopped this ancillary work after 25 years, but his son, Scott and another member of staff, Gillian Shanks continues to do so.

In 1976 frustrated that he could not obtain contact lenses of the quality he wanted he established his own contact lens laboratory, Scotlens which was the first rigid contact lens laboratory in Europe to obtain the CE mark for quality.

He opened his first practice in Wester Hailes in 1977 with the objective of providing a high standard of optometric service at a fair price and encouraging the young opticians who joined him to follow suit.

Jack Brown Eyecare now have 2 successful practices, Elder Street and Westside Plaza, which have been built entirely on recommendation, not by extensive advertising or offering so called "Free Services". Nothing in life is free, except air! and we offer a wide range of choice from spectacles that the patient does not pay for (because they qualify for a NHS voucher) to the latest in designer fashion and quality.

Whilst Frame fashion and lens choice is important, it is critical to undergo a professional examination and be properly advised of the correct frame style and lens design to suit each person and to this end Jack Brown has always ensured his staff are of the highest professional calibre, and post graduate education and training is part of their professional life.

While wearing frames and using lenses designed to suit the individual needs it is also important to ensure the highest standard of technical expertise in the production of spectacles and so in 1980 Jack started Edinburgh New Town Optics thus ensuring the delivery of goods of the highest quality.

Actively involved in the politics of Optometry he represented the profession by serving on the councils of the Scottish Commitee of Optometrists, the Association of Optometrists , the British College of Optometrists and the General Optical Council.

When he retired from clinical practice in December 2006 he decided the future of the company should remain in the hands of those who had served and developed it and his senior members were offered a shareholding.

Since retiring he spends the summer sailing in the Mediterranean and Portugal.

Graduated GCT (Now Glasgow Caledonian University) Bsc (Optometry)
Fellow of the British College of Optometry FBCO
Diploma in Contact Lenses DCLP
Past Chairman SCOO
Alumni Ambassador Glasgow Caledonian University