The Fashion Technology Academy (FTA) succeeds because its entire teaching team comes directly from industry. Fashion-Enter’s policy is clear: every tutor, assessor and IQA must demonstrate genuine, up-to-date competency. Our staff includes specialists in stitching, pattern cutting, garment cutting, finishing and every stage of production.
As CEO Jenny Holloway explains, “In the past, we have tried to recruit externally qualified teachers with fashion experience, but regrettably this has not always led to successful outcomes.” By contrast, building a team from seasoned industry professionals ensures our learners are taught effectively and become truly industry-ready.
Regular dialogue with employers underpins this approach. Our internal production team, including Compliance Director, T. J. Hussein, ensures Fashion-Enter remains ahead in quality assurance, transparency, ethics and sustainability. With almost five decades of experience in the sector, we maintain strong relationships with leading figures such as Simon Platts (former Sourcing Director, ASOS), Caren Downie (former ASOS Find Director), Elizabeth Brandwood (Style3D), and Salli Deighton, pictured right, (CEO and Founder, LaundRe). Their insights help us stay aligned with the skills and innovation industry demands.
Fashion-Enter opened the Leicester Academy in 2019 in partnership with Leicester City Council. Today, FEA works with nearly 60 factories across the region, championing high-quality UK manufacturing, as demonstrated during our recent meeting with David Lammy, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice, on 21 November 2025. Employer engagement is central to delivering the skills the industry needs.
Feedback from employers speaks for itself. Tejas Shah (pictured above) , CEO and Founder of Shahtex, commented: “Fashion-Enter is the only training provider I trust to deliver skills for my workforce. They hold a leading Fast Forward audit status, incredibly hard to achieve, and have maintained this for three years running. I trust them to provide the high-quality skills training my business needs to grow.”
Shehzaad (pictured above), CEO and Founder of Avinci, added: “It is a pleasure to work with Leicester’s Fashion Hub and Training Academy. I completely respect the quality of their delivery. I could not recommend them highly enough to anyone requiring manufacturing skills today.”
Salli Deighton (pictured above) further noted: “I have known Jenny and her team since my ASOS days and later when I founded LaundRe. They have been a real support throughout the creation of my company. Their ongoing guidance has been invaluable, and as we expand our workforce in 2026, Fashion-Enter is the only organisation I trust to deliver the skills we need.”