Fashion Retail Academy

The Fashion Retail Academy Celebrates its Graduation Awards, 8th July 2008

Fast approaching its second year anniversary in Gresse Street, the Fashion Retail Academy has gathered influential figures in retail, the key sponsors, Sir Philip Green from Arcadia,  Sir Stuart Rose from Marks and Spencer, Andrew Varley from Next and Terry Green from Tesco, to celebrate the second annual Graduation Awards ceremony.  Students who graduated in July 2007, have gone on to achieve great starts to their careers, including;

Beth Skinner

Student of the Year Award “Best Project 2007” worked for Homebase as Graphic Assistant after graduation in July and is now with New Look as a Creative Co-ordinator, managing her first visual merchandising team.

Robert Sabet

After successfully completing Level 3 has now been promoted to Manager at GAP for menswear in Oxford Circus.

Robyn Smitsdorf

Successfully achieved a graduate entry level position as BAA at Miss Selfridge.

This year, a total of 304 students will graduate with level 2 & 3 Diplomas in Fashion Retail, with 34 having achieved distinction level.  In addition to this 4 students who have excelled throughout the past year will be presented with an Outstanding Student award from each of the sponsors.

The Outstanding Student award winners for 2008 are:

• The Arcadia Group Award – Sophie Price      
• The M&S Award – Laura Stainer
• The Next Award – Samantha Doyle
• The Tesco Award – Ahmed Khan        

Sir Philip Green said

“I am delighted that in excess of 300 students have come through the FRA this year, and congratulate them on their success. Now more than ever, I feel that the training and development of young people in the UK is of the greatest importance.  The retail industry is the second largest employer in the UK and therefore requires a constant flow of high quality people in all areas.  I am excited that myself and Arcadia are part of this important development.”

Sir Stuart Rose added

“M&S has always believed in nurturing young talent. That’s why we’re delighted to support the Retail Fashion Academy. I’d like to congratulate the Academy for its work over the past year in bringing through another group of star students. ”

From September 2008, two new diplomas have been added to the FRA’s qualifications offer.  These are for level 4, and are in specialized areas of Buying & Merchandising and Visual Merchandising.

With the introduction of these diplomas, the third academic year promises to be one of even more recognized prestige within the Retail environment for the FRA, and student numbers are predicted to hit the target of 425 for the next academic year.

The FRA’s Principal Karen Dennison said “The Fashion Retail Academy is an exciting place to work, being involved with young people developing their careers for the retail industry is very energising. Staff and students work extremely hard to achieve the fabulous results we have this year. Year on year we increase contacts with industry to provide as many opportunities as possible for students to gain employment. Already this year 20 well known UK retailers have offered permanent work positions to many of this years graduating students. ”

- Ends -

Note To Editors:

The FRA opened in September 2006, backed by major retailers including Arcadia, Marks & Spencer, Next and Tesco, and is the first National Skills Academy to be set up in the UK offering young people the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge from key industry figures and the retail trade.  

Students experience a unique blend of workplace learning and classroom based lectures, supported by an inspiring master class programme from key players in the industry.  The course tutors are experienced and well respected in their fields, for example Head Of VM Dept at FRA is Tony Morgan, who was Manager for Visual Merchandising at Selfridges for 18 years and has recently published a definitive bible on VM skills for retail. Guest lecturers also have included many people who live and breathe the retail scene from High Street giants to smaller start up businesses, – including CEO’s, Brand Directors, Communications teams, Buyers, Merchandisers, and Retail Operations executives.

The FRA itself is housed in an incredible building with state of the art lecture space, IT suites, common room and library as well as its very own ‘mock shop’, which mimics a typical retail outlet, and a fully equipped buying and merchandising range room.

The FRA offers individuals the chance to develop a strong career in retail.  The students that have passed through the FRA have commented on the positive environment and the fantastic opportunity these diplomas offer.  In a recent student feedback survey 96% would recommend a friend to apply for a place at the FRA.

For further information on courses available, and notes on how to apply for a place at the Fashion Retail Academy go to www.fashionretailacademy.ac.uk

or contact Kerryn Grimshaw at kerry.grimshaw@fashionretailacademy.ac.uk or on 020 73072332.