Launched in partnership with Walpole, the official sector body for British Luxury, the Regent's Visiting Professorship programme is offering students a chance to get closer than ever before to industry CEOs and MDs of global brands.
Regent's welcomed the first Visiting Professor Andrew Magg, CEO of dunhill, to deliver his lecture to a packed auditorium at Regent's campus on 6 October.
Attracting students from across the University including cohorts on the BA Fashion Design and Marketing, MA Luxury Brand Management and business courses, the lecture delivered an insight into the inner workings of dunhill. Andrew shared his vision for the future of dunhill, and students learned about the brand’s heritage and its revival into a contemporary fashion label for a 21st century luxury consumer.
Regent's students were also offered a chance to ask their burning questions. They grilled Andrew on his career, dunhill’s commitment to sustainability and what had motivated him to get into the fashion and retail industry. A group of fashion students were then invited to a breakout session with Andrew, where they had the opportunity to ask in-depth questions and build more of a connection with Andrew.
Professor Gill Stark, Associate Provost, commented: ‘Andrew’s lecture was enlightening and inspiring for our students. I know that the opportunity to hear from, and to question, an industry professional of Andrew’s stature is incredibly valuable to our student’s learning and to their future careers. Our huge thanks to Andrew for his generosity in what is undoubtedly a very busy role as CEO of dunhill.’
Rozhin Elahi, BA Fashion Design student, said: ‘The talk was very inspiring and motivating for us as fashion students. Throughout his talk Andrew said his mantra ‘do what you love, and love what you do’ which really made sense to me for the direction of my future career.’
The Visiting Professorship series will continue with lectures from Michael Ward, Managing Director of Harrods and Chairman of Walpole; Sonja Vodusek, Managing Director of The Peninsula London.