I am a Senior Lecturer in Fashion Marketing and Promotion on the Fashion Buying with Marketing BA (Hons) degree at De Montfort University. I have been a lecturer since 2014.
My background involved working in the fashion industry for high street retailer Next PLC as a Directory Product Manager on different departments including; menswear, branded and childrenswear over an 18 year period. My time began as a placement student for a year as a Menswear Design Assistant, whilst studying a BA (Hons) Fashion Design with Technology at Manchester Metropolitan University.
In my latter role at Next I was responsible for the co-ordination and creation of the Next Directory pages and online. The role involved all creative and strategic planning aspects f putting the book together including selecting product for the directory and online, paginating the pages, designing the initial layout and photoshoot concept, selecting models, editing shots, approving art-worked spreads and managing the critical path and budgets.
In 2018/19 I had a regular fashion slot on Radio Leicester talking about current fashion trends and discussing the state of the high street. I was interviewed by various Radio Leicester presenters including; Jonathan Lampon, Ady Dayman, Ed Stagg, Martin Ballard and Jimmy Carpenter.
I am an avid follower on Linkedin which helps me keep in touch with industry leaders to help me create an engaging teaching experience through guest lectures, visits, live projects and post jobs to students.
I am currently carrying out the role of External Examiner for the Fashion Promotion BA (Hons) at University of Central Lancashire.