Hannah Middleton

Biography

As Knowledge Exchange Leader at the Fashion Business School, London College of Fashion, UAL, working closely with the Research Team, Hannah Middleton is responsible for leading knowledge exchange activities at the school. Having worked at LCF since 2008, Hannah has been in the role of Knowledge Exchange Lead since Nov 2019. Prior to joining LCF, Hannah worked as a fashion buyer for over 20 years, working for retailers in the UK, the Far East, France and Spain. Her expertise working in fashion retail has given her the opportunity to collaborate with numerous international brands, designers and retailers in the capacity of buying, product development, merchandising and data analytics. In addition, she has worked on the launch of three new fashion ranges and has an extensive knowledge on the setting up, branding and marketing of new and emerging fashion brands.

She has a BA Hons degree in Modern Languages and International Marketing, a PGCert in Academic Practice and has completed the Cambridge Certificate in Data Analytics. Her subjects of expertise are sourcing, supply chain, product development, sustainability, stock management, range planning, buying strategy, setting up a fashion business, getting brands to market, global strategy and entry into new markets. When teaching she draws on both her academic and practical experience and favours setting a number of practical activities to reinforce the students understanding of the subjects taught. She has been invited as a guest lecturer to speak on buying in the local and global market both here in the UK and overseas. Spending time lecturing at LIM, New York, Pearl Academy, Delhi and for the British Fashion Council in London and Slovakia.

Hannah also works as a fashion business consultant, consulting for small to medium sized retailers, training up their buying and merchandising teams and advising them on their buying and sustainable strategies. Clients she has worked with include VIP China, Encuentro Spain, Carrot Banana Peach Singapore, Victa Africa and Harvey Nichols Saudi Arabia. More recently she secured and coordinated a consultancy project between LCF and Paloma Wool, a Spanish mid market fashion brand. She is a Trustee for Fara Foundation Charity and advisors on the running of their 40 retail stores, which generate the majority of the charities income.