FRA Talent Lab, an offshoot of the Fashion Retail Academy, puts industry and talent needs at the heart of our offer.
The Academy was co-founded in 2006 by the government and group of retailers, who still form a part of our governance structure and support the work we do helping businesses attract, develop and nuture talent.
We continually challenge ourselves to remain at the forefront of workforce and skills development, and ensure our offer is fit for the future by conducting regular research, networking, and surrounding ourselves with some of the best in the business. We have a stellar board made up of senior professionals from across the retail and education sectors in addition to an active Industry Advisory Committee.
Meet the Fra board of directors
Lee Lucas
Principal & CEOLee has been the Principal & CEO of the FRA since October 2014.
Lee started his career as an IT Manager and later retrained as a teacher. Over the past 14 years, Lee has held senior leadership roles and Principal positions in private and public education providers, developing qualifications and apprenticeships (in the IT, beauty, jewellery and retail sectors), alongside a number of other commercial ventures.
Kim Longman
ChairKim has been Chair of the Fashion Retail Academy since its inception in 2005.
Previously an HR career professional and for 17 years Group HR Director at Arcadia, she now runs her own consultancy business.
Elizabeth Rouse
Vice-ChairElizabeth is Vice-Chair of the Fashion Retail Academy.
She has had a long career and extensive experience in education management; her previous roles have included Head of College at London College of Communication, Deputy Rector Academic at the University of the Arts London and Dean of Academic Development at London College of Fashion.
James Barron
Buying Director Menswear at ASOSJames Barron is Menswear Buying Director at ASOS, having worked for the brand since 2010. This role includes the development of the ASOS Design Brand and all 3rd-party brands; James is part of the ASOS Leadership Team.
James has worked as a buyer for 20 years for a variety of UK Retailers from Marks & Spencers, Tie Rack, Arcadia, Moss Bros, and as Head of Buying for Envy Clothing Group.
Laura Charles
Lingerie Director at M&SLaura has a retail background spanning over 30 years, specialising in buying. Since March 2018, she has been Director of Lingerie at M&S, having been Head of Buying from 2014 to 2018.
Her career has covered both buying and design within retail and manufacturing. She has worked for companies such as Next PLC, La Senza, Etam and Courtaulds.
Professor Linda Drew
Chair and Creative Education Champion, Visit GreenwichLinda has a range of non-executive roles in the creative industries, social enterprise, and education. She is the former Vice-Chancellor of Ravensbourne University London (2015/19) which specialises in the design, content, screen and technology disciplines.
Previously, Prof Drew was at the Glasgow School of Art, as Deputy Director and a Dean at the University of the Arts London where she led Chelsea College of Arts. She studied Fashion at Saint Martin’s School of Art and has a PhD in Educational Research from Lancaster University.
Fiona Gaughan
Planning and Trading Director at ASOSFiona has been working in Fashion Retail for over 20 years. She spent 14 years at Arcadia before moving to ASOS in 2014 to be the Womenswear Merchandising Director where she headed up a department of over 200 people across ASOS Design and Branded teams.
More recently Fiona has taken on the role of Planning & Trading Director for Retail where she oversees multiple functions such as Merchandising, Global Planning, Forecasting and Trading.
Sally Harris
Finance Strategy Consultant & Board Trustee, RNID & FRASally has spent over 20 years working in finance within fashion retail. She spent 13 years at Arcadia starting as an analyst in the Oxford Circus store and progressing to Finance Director of Dorthy Perkins and then BHS.
She then moved to M&S where she spent six years as Finance Director of the Clothing & Home half of the business. She now runs her own consultancy business and is a trustee for two other charities.
Susanna Kempe
CEO Laidlaw Scholars Ventures, Non Executive Director FRASusanna is the CEO of the Laidlaw Foundation, Chair of the Laidlaw Schools Trust, Chair of B2B Marketing and a board member of both Criton and Zapnito.
Prior to leading the Laidlaw Foundation, Susanna had over 15 years of CEO, CMO and Chief Strategy Officer roles in global media and B2B businesses, including as CEO of WGSN the world’s leading trend forecaster.
Elaine Smith
Managing Director, Education & Skills Improvement ServicesElaine runs her own quality improvement consultancy business. She is a highly experienced leader and manager, with a proven track record of achievement and success both as a Vice Principal and more recently in consultancy, training and support for the post-16 education sector.
Elaine has significant experience in bringing about sustainable quality improvements and performance improvement solutions. Elaine is also contracted with Ofsted as an Ofsted Inspector.
Vanessa Spence
Commercial Design & Visual Director at ASOSJoining ASOS in 2007 with a team of two, Vanessa was influential in shaping the ASOS brand and now has a team of over 100.
Vanessa was promoted to Design Director of both Womenswear and Menswear in 2018 to develop a unified look and feel to the ASOS ranges, trends and collaborations. Vanessa is also a patron of the charity Fashion Awareness Direct (FAD).
Pauline Tambling
CEO, Creative & Cultural SkillsPauline was previously CEO of Creative & Cultural Skills. She was awarded a CBE at the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to education and training in the cultural sector.
Our employer partners
We collaborate with a wide range of retailers to support varying talent objectives. Here’s a snapshot of some of our current and past industry partners.
Industry Advisory Committee
We are extremely fortunate to have the support from some of the best in business. Our Industry Advisory Committee provide advice and guidance to the FRA and Talent Lab to ensure our offer is truly reflective of what our industry needs.
Jonathan Brech
Consulting Partner, Cambridge DataJonathan founded and grew a successful digital marketing agency looking after many well-known retailers; understanding both their established business models and the solutions required to address e-commerce and social media disruption. After he sold the agency, he moved to consulting in digital & data transformation. Jonno is fascinated by modelling consumer behaviour using statistical, economic and behavioural science disciplines. He now specialises in training retailers to use their consumer data to innovate their product & service offerings.
You’ll find more about Jonathan on his LinkedIn Profile
Sarah Mcvittie
Founder, DressipiExperienced Co-Founder with a demonstrated history of working in the consumer services industry. Strong entrepreneurship professional skilled in Business Planning, E-commerce, Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital, and Strategic Partnerships.
Passionate about using data to drive more efficient retail experiences and operational processes. Also excited by the impact that better use of data can have on the sustainability of a retailer. Specific focus on fashion retail.
You’ll find more about Sarah on her LinkedIn Profile
Hash Ladha
Ex CEO, Oasis & WarehouseAn experienced CEO and board level executive, with a proven track record in leading and growing omni-channel businesses. A passionate leader, who understands the importance of creating shareholder value and who forms exceptional relationships with senior leaders across organisations, the industry and strategic partners to help advance the strategy and commercial objectives of a business.
Former Group CEO of Oasis & Warehouse, with previous roles at Asos, New Look and Arcadia. Cufrrently Managing Partner at Orelia London, and Non Executive at Circulariti and toodle. Also works as mentor to C-suite and senior management (World of Books, Fatface and George).
You’ll find more about Hash on his LinkedIn Profile
Zoe Donovan
Digital Director, LK BennettWorking in retail for 15+ years Zoe initially started her career in merchandising working for the likes of Tesco, Black’s Leisure Group, and then Arcadia. During 9 years at the Arcadia Group Zoe moved across from merchandising to the e-commerce team taking on a variety of commercial roles, specialising in Online Trading, and gaining experience in Wholesale, Online Production, and Digital Marketing. Now responsible for all ecommerce and marketing operations at LK Bennett Zoe prides herself on building collaborative high performing teams to drive profitable growth whilst creating a great place to work.
Zoe’s team describe her as driven, a great communicator and a font of knowledge.
You’ll find more about Zoe on her LinkedIn Profile
Sue Vandenberghe
Brand Director, Live UnlimitedHaving spent her former career at the Arcadia Group, Sue has extensive knowledge in Multi Channel retailing.
In Jan 2020 she joined the Live Unlimited team to share her skills in the Curve industry and grow the business by expanding the ranges and introducing new partners
In February 2021 Ro&Zo was launched having seen a gap in the market for versatile feminine dressing.
Both brands are expanding quickly and she is involved in the strategic development of these businesses, growing both Website, Wholesale and Retail channels .
You’ll find more about Sue on her LinkedIn Profile
Daniel Peters
Ex FRA Student & Founder of Fashion Minority ReportSelf-motivated marketing specialist, with thorough knowledge and understanding of contemporary culture, including the arts, design, fashion, music and the evolving world of technology.
Daniel Peters, a Peckham native, also sits on the Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee at the British Fashion Council, and the Fashion Retail Academy, helping to bring about systemic change relating to inclusion and diversity in the sector.
Launched in July 2020 by brand and marketing specialist, Daniel Peters, The (Fashion) Minority Report exists to create equality within the fashion industry and creative sector for diverse professionals, by advancing the conversation around inclusion and diversity to a point of measurable change.
You’ll find more about Daniel on his LinkedIn Profile
Chris Amadeo
Managing Director, Fashion and Retail AwardsChristian Amadeo has over 20 years’ experience in the education sector, with a focus on education-to-employment. He is Managing Director for Fashion & Retail Awards, an assessment organisation, and has held strategic and technical leadership roles in the Fashion Retail Academy for more than a decade. Previously, Christian worked for a number of government bodies with responsibility for the research, regulation, funding and workforce development of post-16 education, as well as a spell in local government supporting poverty reduction initiatives.
You’ll find more about Chris on his LinkedIn Profile
Simon Platts
Responsible Sourcing Director, ASOSSimon Platts has been with ASOS for 8 years. In his role as Commercial ESG & Sustainability Director, he oversees the company’s sourcing, packaging, ethical trade, product sustainability and 3rd-party branded engagement functions.
Part of the industry for over 35 years, Simon started out his journey as a Saturday sales consultant for Next retail in the mid-1980s, before moving through the ranks into visual merchandising, buying and buying management, and finally sourcing, where he was responsible for setting up the UK arm of Next Asia Sourcing.
Prior to joining ASOS, Simon was Head of Branded and Own Brand buying for Blacks and Millets, an outdoor clothing specialist. Before that, he spent eight years as Director/Partner at a supplier of men’s, women’s and children’s apparel and footwear to UK High Street retailers.
Outside of work, Sheffield-born Simon lives with his family in Leicestershire and pursues his passions for outdoor life and the environment.
You’ll find more about Simon on his LinkedIn Profile
Mairi Fairley
Partner & Head of Retail Practice, OC&C Strategy ConsultantsMairi leads OC&Cs Fashion, Apparel and Lifestyle teams and is previous head of the international retail practice. She has over 10 years’ experience, working with a broad range of global fashion brands and retailers from value and mass to luxury, and disruptive digital native models to more traditional omnichannel players.
Mairi has considerable experience across all parts of Fashion strategy including proposition improvement, pricing and promotion, international expansion, ESG and operating model improvement as well as due diligence work.
Previously Mairi was Strategy & International Director at Hobbs, creating and delivering the turnaround strategy, building the international business and customer functions, and completing a transaction before returning to OC&C.
You’ll find more about Mairi on her LinkedIn Profile.