Obituary: Peter Nicholls

September 12, 2022 Graeme and Bruce Nicholls

Well known to many in the optical community, our brother Peter Nicholls was part of a three-generation optical family. Our late father Viv was an optometrist as are we and Peter’s niece (Bruce’s daughter) Georgia.

 

A long-time player in the optical wholesale market, Peter’s success in the industry revolved around his honesty, integrity and doing the right thing for people. The toughest role he ever had, he said, was to make factory staff redundant in 1996 when the Optical Holdings Ltd (OHL) frame manufacturing plant was closed.

 

In Peter’s world, people came first. Maryanne Dransfield, the previous owner and editor of NZ Optics, said, “Peter was one of the most highly respected people in the optical community. He was genuinely honest, had integrity and was extremely humble.”

 

Peter Nicholls with optometrists Paul Rose (centre) and Mike Webber (left) circa 1996 when Optical Distributors was successfully floated to the optical profession, purchased OHL Eyewear and Peter was appointed general manager

 

Peter initially worked for Ceramco after completing his BSc in chemistry, then joined the optical world in 1979, as manufacturing supervisor for the then Optical Manufacturing Company (OMC), a division of OHL, which manufactured acetate optical frames in their Avondale factory. In 1982 he became manufacturing and export manager and saw the company boom over the next few years. It was during this time that the relationship with Jonathan Sceats’ frame companies was at its height and Le Specs’ sunglass range was launched.

 

In 1995 the optical scene in New Zealand began to change, however, and OHL was put up for sale. A small group, including Peter and optometrist Paul Rose, proposed to float the company to the New Zealand optical profession. Following the success of this venture, Peter’s people skills and industry knowledge resulted in him being appointed general manager of OHL Eyewear, which by 1997-98 included optical lens laboratories and Morgan and Hall. Eventually the lens division was sold to Essilor, which enabled the launch of the Visique retail brand.

 

Peter Nicholls circa 1985, teaching a group of final-year optometry students at the Optical Manufacturing Company, a division of Optical Holdings Ltd, where he was manufacturing supervisor

 

A great supporter of the industry, Peter also held the position of president of the New Zealand Optical Wholesalers Association from 1992-1996 (see our August 2022 story).

 

Peter left OHL in 2008 and, together with Mark Collman and Deb Lake, formed Phoenix Eyewear which still provides well-designed and innovative eyewear. He often said how much he enjoyed getting out on the road again, visiting practices and showing his frames to optometrists around the country.

 

We are so proud of our brother, Peter. During his battle with cancer he never asked for sympathy. He remained a strong and dedicated husband, father, grandpa, brother and good friend to many till the end.

 

 

Peter passed away on 8 July 2022, aged 69. He will be sorely missed.