Specsavers co-founder and chairman Doug Perkins has been awarded a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) title at Windsor Castle.

Princess Anne presented the title after Perkins received his CBE for services to business and trade in the King’s Birthday Honours list last summer, alongside Greggs chief executive Roisin Currie and BBC Radio 4 journalist Martha Kearney.

Specsavers, which was formed by Doug and his wife Dame Mary Perkins in 1984, is now the largest private eye and hearing care provider in the world.

There are now 1,000 Specsavers businesses in the UK, with a further 3,000 worldwide.

Each of the companies is part-owned and managed by its own directors, who are shareholders.

Perkins was accompanied to Windsor Castle by his wife, who received her own honour from the late Queen in 2007 for services to business and charity in Guernsey.

His two daughters also attended the ceremony, while his son and chief executive of Specsavers John Perkins was unable to join due to restrictions on attendee numbers.

"This award isn’t really for me – it’s recognition of the 45,000 people who work for Specsavers and our ophthalmic surgery business Newmedica and their dedication to changing people’s lives through better sight and hearing," said Doug Perkins CBE. “Together, we have achieved so much since we began the business more than 40 years ago from pretty humble beginnings and it’s really quite incredible that we are now offering our services to 48 million people as far afield as Canada and New Zealand, and have a robust supply chain that spans the world from the UK and Europe to Asia Pacific.

"None of that could have been achieved without loyal, hardworking, visionary colleagues and partners."

Last week, Specsavers announced that its flagship West End store has been relocated to a new “high-tech” location on Tottenham Court Road following a £1.2 million investment.

The optical retail chain said that the new store has the latest diagnostic testing equipment, as well as digital screens showcasing its offers.

Specsavers has been situated in the West End for more than 26 years, with the company previously situated at another location on Tottenham Court Road.

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