I took up my role as Head of London College of Fashion in 2005 and was made Professor of Art and Design Education in 2009. London College of Fashion is the only college in the UK to specialise in fashion education, research and consultancy. It offers a unique portfolio of courses that aim to reflect the breadth of opportunity available in the fashion industry.

Before LCF I was Associate Dean in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Gloucestershire (1998-2001), and the Head of the Sir John Cass Department of Art, Media and Design at London Metropolitan University (2001-2005).

As an artist, I exhibited widely, and then curated fine art exhibitions while also teaching foundation, degree and postgraduate courses at Chelsea School of Art and other institutions.

More recently I became a member of the British Fashion Council’s Advisory Board and I am also a Governing Board member of the Fashion Retail Academy and a trustee for the Wallace Collection and Chair of its Audit Committee.

Until July 2009 I chaired the Council for Higher Education in Art & Design (CHEAD) and I have been a committee member for GLAD (Group for Learning in Art and Design).

My experience, knowledge and understanding of art and design education has led me to become a writer and editor of academic studies, an adviser to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the Creative Economy, and a seasoned television, radio and print interviewee. I am also a columnist for Sublime Magazine and a regular conference speaker and panel member.

In June 2009 I was greatly honoured when I was awarded an OBE for Services to the Fashion Industry.