Homepage

Record

RepositoryUniversity Archives and Special Collections Centre
Reference NumberUAL/OH/1/5
TitleSandra Holtby
DescriptionInterview with Sandra Holtby, Head of College at the London College of Fashion from 1995 until 2006.

The interview can be accessed in QuickTime Movie and Waveform Audio formats, and a transcript is also available.

Interview description:

Video 1 [00:00] Sandra Holtby; 1975 started part time job at LCF in hairdressing and beauty therapy; teaching content. [01:11] Own background; work in a salon; hair product company; product demonstration; partner moved to London; offered part time job; full time lecturer within a year. [02:36] Role as lecturer; course development; assessment. [04:04] Discusses nature of course; vocational; rewarding. [04:45] 1980 became Principal Lecturer; reduced teaching hours; budget; managing; student outcomes; importance of course development. [05:57] Consulting industry on courses for development; preparing students. [07:03] 1986 became Head of Department; inclusion of Science; responsibility; resource management; staffing; planning; controversy in getting role. [09:38] Selection of team; Susan James resignation; discussion about leaving ILEA; period of change; worry about status of LCF. [11:54] Discusses formation of London Institute; John McKenzie looking for office; ineffective administration; money given to art schools; brand. [14:32] Changes to working life; merger of technologists and design at LCF; became Dean of Fashion Promotion School. [16:36] Working with John McKenzie; disagreement with funding art schools; value of students and resources. [18:22] Discusses appointment to Dean; staffing changes; resources. [21:06]

Video 2 [00:00] School of Fashion Promotion; FE Hairdressing students moved; Cosmetic Science degree development; journalism; business studies; learning resources upgrade for HE; staff development. [02:44] Key concerns and priorities; working with industry; income generation; team building; administrative support. [05:14] Responsibilities of Dean; development with industry; resources and placements. [06:45] Development strategy; suggestion of theatre make up course; popularity of courses; costs of London; access to placements. [09:40] Process of establishing undergraduate courses; course validation process; staff; documentation; quality assurance; accreditation; CNNA. [12:55] Discusses applying to Head of College; interview process; competition; celebrations. [16:37] Discusses role as Head of College; development of postgraduate offering. [18:17]

Video 3 [00:00] Discusses being ambitious in role; successes over previous years. [01:51] John McKenzie increased overseas students; fashion show in Tokyo with CSM; link with language schools. [03:45] Responsibilities as Head of College; academic development; financial management; William Stubbs appointment; LCF contribution to surplus. [05:50] Discusses conversation with William Stubbs; discussions of merger with Cordwainer's; initial refusal; started a footwear course; Cordwainer's forced to merge; staff concern. [08:40] Discusses job security; Queen's Award; support from Merchant Tailor's Company; livery companies. [10:46] Postgraduate courses; research centre; research topics; knit; cultural studies. [12:25] Courses established; MA Journalism; Cultural Studies; Business of Fashion; Cosmetic Science. [13:19] William Stubbs influence; quality assurance assessment preparation; organisation. [15:40] Discusses feeling John McKenzie being right for his time; economist addressing financial problems; Bill Stubbs style; formal; ambitious; experienced. [16:33] Discusses own ambition. [17:30] Income generation; London Development Agency funds; developing studios for graduates; Oxford Circus Building from 1963; discussions with staff married to wealthy man about lecture; Rootstein Hopkins Foundation; proposal to board; model of lecture theatre; offered funds; additional funds for Professorial Chair. [23:53]

Video 4 [00:00] Spending generated income; Rootstein Hopkins Space; extension to library; learning resource centre; cosmetic science laboratory. [02:17] Discusses working with governors; supper evening meetings. [03:16] Collaboration with the University of Maratua in Sri Lanka; clothing production focus; threat from China; integration of design and clothing technology; knitting research; arrangements to develop a course; popularity of sessions; continued relations with UAL. [08:12] Discusses travel and other potential collaborations; visit agents abroad; British Council; increasing overseas student numbers. [10:11] UK interest in fashion. [10:51] Collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum; shared research fellow; contemporary fashion; importance of staff contacts; enrichment activities. [13:06] Discusses gaining university status; confidence in application; William Stubbs raised standards. [15:07] Discusses views on university status; lack of resistance. [16:27] Michael Bichard; management oriented; detailed; lack of change; consideration of impact of change; complexity of college. [19:53]

Video 5 [00:00] Benefits of university of the arts; ready for status; no change in institutional culture; morale. [01:38] Importance of goodwill in change; transformation of kitchen to gallery; disruption; lack of complaints; Christmas party. [05:04] Exhibitions in gallery; range of users; content. [05:49] Discusses advantages and disadvantages of London base; rich student experience. [07:03] Decision to retire; age; demands of job; living situation; misses the staff; London as a place to work; continued contact. [09:57] Discusses work for student attitudes survey; student desire for meeting places; access to academic staff; technician support. [12:47] Since retirement; Challenge for Change charity; excluded children; Ben Cohen anti-bullying campaign; decision to move to Cheshire. [15:09] Discusses regret at leaving Oxford Circus site; meetings at all 5 sites; lack of communication as a concern for staff. [16:57]
Date8 Sep 2016
CreatorDvora Liberman
Extent1 audiovisual recording
LevelFile
Add to My Items
    Tom Eckersley Collection

    Tom Eckersley Collection

    Useful Links

    Showcase

    Some of our many archives and collections

    Her Noise Archive
    Her Noise Archive
    Les Coleman Collection
    Les Coleman Collection
    Stanley Kubrick Archive
    Stanley Kubrick Archive
    Tom Eckersley Collection
    Tom Eckersley Collection
    Explore