Meet The Team
Meet the lecturers
Tracy Pritchard
Director of Academic Excellence
Tracy leads academic initiatives across Further Education, Higher Education, postgraduate, and online learners. Prior to this, she held senior and leadership roles at Falmouth University and the University of South Wales. With a professional background in fashion design, Tracy brings extensive expertise in industry practice and 24 years of higher education experience to the role, and is a recognised subject specialist in fashion.
Tracy is dedicated to embedding principles of sustainability, equality, diversity, and inclusion into curriculum development and delivery, and has led numerous institutional projects throughout her career. She is the author of A Year in the Life of an Academic and in 2016 designed and launched the ‘Module Planning Tool’, a key financial planning resource.
Tracy is Chair of the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications, a member of the Education Committee at the International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes, and has served as an external examiner for 22 BA and MA fashion programs across the UK and Europe. Tracy completed the Advance HE Deans Development Programme and is a Principal Fellow of Advanced HE (formerly HEA).
Mark O’Connor
Head of Higher Education
Mark leads the Higher Education department at the Fashion Retail Academy, overseeing three BA (Hons) programs in Marketing & Communications, Buying & Merchandising, and Fashion Business, while actively developing new courses.
With over a decade in higher education, Mark has taught and managed courses in Branding and Communications, including roles as Programme Director for undergraduate and postgraduate programs at the University for the Creative Arts. His previous industry experience includes positions as Fashion Director at the Daily Express and Deputy Fashion Editor at FHM, as well as consulting for top brands like Nike, Next and Marks & Spencer.
Mark holds a PGCert and MA, is a Senior Fellow of Advance HE, and was recently an external examiner at Birmingham City University. He is keen to pursue a PhD focused on the future of consumer marketing, retail, and brand communication.
Claire Stacey
Course Leader
BA (Hons) Buying & Merchandising
Claire leads the BA (Hons) Buying & Merchandising program, bringing her extensive industry experience from roles like Merchandising Director at major retailers including Arcadia and House of Fraser to the Fashion Retail Academy.
Since joining the Academy in 2021, Claire has delivered content across buying disciplines, including Trading, Range Building, and Sourcing, helping to propel dozens of graduates into careers within Buying & Merchandising.
A graduate of Central St. Martins, she also holds a Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training and is currently completing her PGCert. Claire’s interests include consulting for small businesses and exploring external examiner roles.
Dr. Katrin Franke
Acting Course Leader, Year 2 Lead
BA (Hons) Marketing and Communications for Fashion
Kat is an expert in marketing science and brand loyalty modelling, collaborating with the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute to publish insights for top brands like Google and Unilever.
Before joining the Fashion Retail Academy, she directed programs at London South Bank University and led an international business seminar in Hamburg.
Kat holds a PhD in behavioural brand loyalty, an MSc in International Marketing, and is a Certified Digital Marketer.
Paul Ward
Senior Lecturer
Fashion Business
Paul specialises in Management, Leadership, and Business Strategy, drawing on 30 years in retail operations, including as Operations Director overseeing 80 stores.
He co-founded The Retail Solutions Partnership, providing consultancy services across training, HR, and recruitment.
Paul holds an MBA from the Open University and a Professional Diploma in Management.
Howard Wilmot
Lecturer
Brand and Digital Marketing
Howard lectures across Fashion Business degrees, bringing his expertise to the brand and digital marketing modules.
A creative entrepreneur, he founded two digital agencies, working with clients like 20th Century Fox and Sony Music, and co-founded First, a women's news magazine.
Currently pursuing his Certificate in Higher Education at Manchester Metropolitan University, Howard also works on an eldertech solution and an entertainment franchise.
Sophie Polkinghorne
Lecturer
Buying & Merchandising
With a background as a Buyer for Ted Baker, Sophie has experience across menswear, womenswear, accessories, and footwear, covering all aspects of omni-channel retailing.
Sophie joined the Fashion Retail Academy from a teaching role in secondary education and sixth-form colleges, and is currently pursuing a PGCE in Higher Education. She also holds a BA (Hons) in English Literature and Film Studies.
Luke Tubbs
Lecturer
Fashion Communication & Styling
With a strong foundation in fashion photography, Luke’s career began at Rankin Ltd. and HUNGER magazine as a Creative Assistant, where he worked on major campaigns for brands like Coco de Mer, L’Oréal, and Mazda. His professional experience extends to retail, including visual merchandising and personal styling roles with COS.
As a fashion image-maker, Luke's work has been showcased in respected publications like METAL, them., Attitude, and HUNGER.tv. He is dedicated to nurturing emerging talent, actively supporting collaboration between young designers and image-makers to foster innovation in the industry.
Luke has spent the past three years in higher education, notably contributing to the BA (Hons) Fashion Photography course at Bath Spa University. His research focuses on the semiotics of identity, investigating how visual and stylistic choices shape audience perceptions and influence the construction of identity. This exploration encourages new perspectives on how identity is portrayed and interpreted within image-making.
Trudie Le Marie
Lecturer
Fashion Communication & Styling
Trudie is an accomplished fashion stylist with over 25 years in the industry. She began her career in publishing, rising from Fashion Assistant to Fashion Editor at the Sunday Express.
Transitioning to freelance styling, she expanded her work to include diverse publications and brands, allowing her to style across womenswear, menswear, and childrenswear for editorial, advertorial, celebrity, and e-commerce projects.
Her client list includes prominent names such as Boden, TU, F+F, ASOS, Topshop, Crew Clothing, John Lewis, Nintendo, Amazon, and many others. In her teaching role, Trudie is dedicated to inspiring emerging creatives, guiding them to develop their unique styling voice and vision.
Diana Bonham
Senior Lecturer & Apprenticeship Programme Manager
Buying & Merchandising
With a background as a director in buying, Diana brings over 20 years of industry expertise to her role as Senior Lecturer and Programme Manager for the Buying & Merchandising apprenticeships.
Her teaching spans sourcing, supply chain management and product development, incorporating sustainability and ethics.
Diana holds a BA in Fashion Design with Marketing and a PGCE, is a Fellow of Advance HE, and has developed globally successful brands with a strong commitment to sustainability
Francesca Castellano
Lecturer and Year 1 Lead
Fashion Marketing & Communications
Francesca is a dynamic and innovative educator and industry professional with 11 years of professional experience as a fashion designer, brand consultant, social media strategist and entrepreneur, combined with four years of mentoring and teaching.
Francesca holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and management from the University of Aldo Moro, Bari, as well as a BA in Fashion Design and Marketing from ESMOD Berlin, with a specialisation in Brand Management and Marketing Strategy. She has further distinguished herself through numerous awards, including ‘Tomorrow’s Talent’ by The Prince’s Trust and the ‘London Made Me’ project supported by the Mayor of London.
Her extensive teaching experience includes partnerships with renowned institutions such as Istituto Marangoni Milano, Polimoda Firenze, and NABA Milano, where she has delivered tailored programs in social media marketing, brand strategy, and fashion design.
Jason Henry
Digital Technician
With over eight years of experience in the field, Jason helps students enhance their portfolios, dissertations, and other printed work through precise, professional techniques to advance their creative and academic journeys. Jason's mentorship extends beyond technical skills, offering valuable guidance in marketing communications and online marketing to further equip students for the professional world.
Previously at the London College of Communication, Jason played a key role in ensuring the highest standards of digital print production and colour management across a wide range of academic materials.
In addition to his technical expertise, Jason is a Fellow of Advance HE, reflecting his dedication to mentoring the next generation of creatives and ensuring students gain a deeper understanding of the processes behind high-quality print materials. He is responsible for leading several initiatives designed to enhance the student experience to promote engagement and creative exploration.
Associate Lecturers
Ruth Marciniak
Senior Lecturer
Fashion Marketing
Ruth is a seasoned academic with a PhD focused on strategy planning in e-commerce within the UK fashion sector. Previously, she led Fashion Marketing and Business Management programs at London Metropolitan University and was a senior lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University.
Ruth's expertise includes developing curriculum and assessments in Fashion Marketing, Fashion Strategy, and International Retailing, alongside supervising Master’s and PhD students. Her research has been widely published, covering consumer behaviour, social responsibility, and AI’s impact on fashion.
Recognised with multiple Student Teaching Award nominations, Ruth is deeply committed to enhancing the student experience through engaging, research-driven teaching.
Alexandra Kravela
Lecturer
Fashion Communication
Alexandra brings her expertise in fashion and business education to her role, alongside ongoing doctoral research at UAL on the influence of dress in women’s leadership and career progression.
With over five years of experience, Alexandra combines insights from fashion communication, psychology, and business, creating an inspiring and motivational learning environment. An award-winning lecturer and researcher, she is also a contributor to publications on education, business and fashion.
Alexandra’s extensive practical background in teaching, course design, styling, and consultancy enables her to empower students as they develop their own creative identities.
Laura Holme
Lecturer
Marketing and Advertising
Laura is a marketing and advertising professional and the founder of Ballyhoo Coaching & Consulting. She has held senior roles, including Vice President of New Business & Marketing at RAPP UK and Group New Business Director at Publicis UK.
Laura’s combined industry and academic background includes serving as an External Examiner at Westminster University for BA (Hons) Marketing and Marketing Communications. A Fellow of Advance HE, Laura was also the Subject Lead for the MA/MSc Global Marketing & Communications course at UCA, bringing real-world insights and expertise to the classroom to prepare students for dynamic careers in marketing and advertising.
Claire Pearl
Lecturer
Buying & Merchandising
Claire is a Buying and Merchandising professional, currently working with First Friday as an Associate Consultant for industry as well as being engaged in solo consultancy projects. She has held senior roles, with over 30 years retail industry experience and half of that at Buying and Merchandising Director level. Recent consultancy projects have focused on process and organisational re-design for the end-to-end product process.
Having led and developed skills training during her time in industry, Claire has supported the development of specialist skills courses for both ASOS and Sainsbury's. Claire's vast industry and people management experience leaves her well positioned to guide students with their HE assignments, ensuring relevant context to being the topics alive.
Caoimhe Kelly
Lecturer
Fashion Business
Caoimhe is a seasoned footwear designer and educator with over 20 years of industry experience and a commitment to cultivating the next generation of fashion professionals, teaching areas such as Fashion Retail Landscape, Professional Strategies, and Fashion Entrepreneurship.
With her background in footwear design and a Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training, she seamlessly bridges the worlds of industry and academia, offering students a practical, inspiring educational experience.
Caoimhe’s extensive career includes roles with brands such as Timberland, where she led the women’s casual footwear team, and Marks & Spencer, Next, and Start-Rite, where she contributed to the design and development of various collections. Her freelance work has spanned prominent clients, allowing her to balance brand identity with creative direction, and design collections that connect with diverse consumer bases.
Emma Reed
Lecturer
Fashion Communications & Styling
Emma uses her expertise to inspire and educate, encouraging students to connect with their personal style while cultivating a deeper understanding of fashion's influence on professional identity. She also works as a personal stylist, helping female leaders, creatives and entrepreneurs to dress with intention, focusing on joy, colour and conscientious choices.
With a rich background in design, Emma was the creator and designer behind two fashion labels, Mama Flamingo and Toto & Mimi, based in Kenya, where she spent several years refining her craft and exploring the intersection of fashion and cultural expression. Her experiences in Africa continue to influence her work, infusing her styling approach with a unique global perspective.
Whether through one-on-one consultations or her engaging classroom lectures, Emma is dedicated to shaping a future where fashion becomes a tool for empowerment and self-expression.
