Tuesday 28th April 2009

Meet the Graduates!

When and Where:
6:30pm Tuesday 28th April
The Northern, Tib Street, Manchester

Graduation is fast approaching many students this May and the realisation that the real world is imminent will be kicking in. With the current economic climate being the way it is, the competition for jobs this summer will be fierce.

Therefore the Manchester Fashion Network are providing students this unique opportunity to ‘Meet the Graduates’. Join us as we invite a recruitment agent, who will be giving us the inside scoop on what employers look for, and three recent graduates who have all secured successful industry positions within fashion... all taking to the mic to give you their expert advice.

The Panel:

• Sarah Morris – Designer – Umbro. Sarah graduated from Northumbria University with a First Class Honours in Fashion Marketing. She has had industry experience within Marketing and PR roles. Her current role at Umbro stems for the interest that Nike showed in Sarah at Graduate Fashion Week, where they put her forward for a role as Designer at Umbro, a position which she has secured for the past six months. www.umbro.com
  
  Accreditations of Sarah’s include, being nominated for Design and Media Award at Graduate Fashion Week 08.
  
  
• Jackie Dunning - Creative Manager - Peppered Sprout. (Liverpool / London) Peppered Sprout is a design and publishing agency specialising in branded content and customer publishing. Based predominantly within Liverpool, Jackie works directly alongside the Managing Director and Creative Director, to oversee all aspects of the group’s creative output and daily business.
  
  Previously, Jackie interned for a fashion company in New York, where she managed all aspects of photography and creative and, after graduating spent three years as the Brand and Marketing Manager for Liverpool lifestyle retailer Microzine.



• Kerry King - Manager-Head Office, Design & Technical Division for the North & Midlands - Hays Retail. Kerry has over 13 years experience of recruitment, specialising in design and development. Hays Retail handle roles within Retail Operations, Buying & Merchandising and Design & Development, focussing on fashion, footwear, accessories, sports, textiles, homewares & hardlines  sectors.
  
  
• Jemma Volp-Fletcher - Senior PR Manager - Think Publicity. A 2004 graduate of Public relations with a European language from Leeds Metropolitan University, Jemma began her career interviewing bands and reviewing their records. She had her first job in PR at Liverpool agency Kenyon Fraser looking after hospitals and public sector clients, then moving on to Paver Downes where she managed brands such as Big D peanuts and Radisson SAS, before being head-hunted to join Think Publicity in 2005 as account executive.
  
  Now heading up Think’s PR division, Jemma devises and implements strategy for campaigns such as Rare by The Saturdays, couture label House of Suga, Panoramic – the UK’s highest restaurant, Cavern Walks boutique emporium, Radisson Blu, Hibiscus House – boutique hotel in the Gambia and Grosvenor.
  
  Think is a lifestyle PR, marketing and events agency based in the heart of Liverpool’s creative quarter.

Chaired by Rachel Perera - Assistant Marketing Manager - Duty Free Clothing

Areas covered:

• Our panelists experiences
• Industry Overview - What jobs are out there?
• What’s the next step after graduation?
• How to make yourself stand out from the crowd?
• What do employers really look for?
• Tips and tricks to get ahead.
• Where to look for jobs.
• How to secure that dream job.

The evening will end with a Q & A section, where the audience will have the opportunity to question the panel.

Reserve your place