About NDA

Following an early career in fashion design with her own successful label, Pauline's passion for interior design developed from extensive business interests in property development, using interior design as an effective way of making buildings more attractive. Having investigated other training opportunities at that time, she set up the Academy 21 years ago to ensure that training was available to all. She has steered the Academy expertly, ensuring that all courses have academic rigour and are recognised internationally whilst remaining relevant to the practical application of modern interior design. She is adamant that learning should be fun. Her design skills have been applied to a multi award-winning high quality apartment complex close to the Academy www.trentpark.co.uk.

Anthony has 25 years experience in design and decorative arts management. He holds a Master of Design Degree from the Royal College of Art, London, is a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers, a Member of the European Academy of Design and an Approved Lecturer for the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies. He has taught and been an external advisor at numerous art colleges and universities. He has run a design gallery and participated in many exhibitions throughout Europe. He has extensive experience in course development and has worked with government as Director of Creative Enterprise at Edinburgh College of Art and later as part of the Lambert Review producing recommendations for a government white paper.

Helen has come from an educational background, working for 26 years in Further Education. She has worked as an external verifier for a number of awarding bodies and been responsible for employer engagement at Leicester College, designing and promoting courses for specific industries and overseeing the quality assurance and organisational processes. At the National Design Academy she provides the educational links to our funding partners, both colleges and universities, and is involved in promotion, employer links and quality assurance.

Richard was educated at Loughborough Grammar School and the University of Kent at Canterbury. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Grant Thornton over 35 years ago. Since then he has held senior finance and general management positions in SMEs, with experience in food manufacturing and retail. He also had a spell as an Investment Controller with Investors in Industry (3i). Most recently he was, for 10 years, FD for one of the world's foremost manufacturers of lenses for the film industry. After selling his equity stake in that business and electing for semi-retirement in 2008, Richard joined NDA as Group Director of Finance. He comments: "I have always enjoyed working in a team environment where excellence is the aim of everyone involved. The NDA fits that description, and I am enjoying contributing my specific skills and experience in a supporting role for this business". Richard has other business interests, and in his spare time he enjoys his family and cooking, and is a committed and senior Freemason.

Tracey joined the Academy as a Soft Furnishings Tutor having the experience of her own business for many years. As Tracey has completed the Diploma in Interior Design, Diploma in Curtain Making & Soft Furnishings and is now studying for the Foundation Degree in Interior Design, she understands the synergy between the student experience and Academy.  Tracey now heads the Operations Team and provides an interface between the VLS, the tutors, operations staff and students. Tracey has been with the Academy for over 7 years and has a thorough knowledge of the development and delivery of the courses.

With a BA Honours in Product Design with Time-based Media and a Post Graduate Diploma in Electronic Media (inc. 3D computer modelling, animation & visualisation), James has worked with Connections in Design (Birmingham) and was a senior designer/product manager for Vogue Interiors prior to joining the Academy. His supporting career as a nightclub interior designer, commercial artist and freelance fabric designer helped expand his knowledge and experience of the industry. He has been responsible for setting up the NDA Private Clients commercial practice which has a current portfolio of client projects including apartments, educational buildings, restaurant and hotel. James also delivers the Professional Practice module on the degree course.

Ellen has over a decade's experience as a professional interior designer working both in the UK and Bermuda. Ellen attained a First Class Honours Degree in Interior Architecture and Design and a Masters degree with Distinction in the Designed Environment, both from Nottingham Trent University. She has worked as a lecturer in both further and higher education and as a BA dissertation supervisor. At the National Design Academy, Ellen is part of the Foundation and BA Degree team, currently researching and developing Modules as well as running The Historic Interior and The Green Interior Workshops.

Vicky graduated from Liverpool John Moores University with a First Class Honours Degree in Interior Design. She also has a background in many aspects of design, including graphics, product and textile design, she is committed to developing skills that coincide with the ever evolving nature of the creative industry. Having previously produced workshops on digital elements of design, including SketchUp and ArchiCAD, these skills are being utilised at the NDA to produce a progressive programme of study. At the National Design Academy, Vicky provides tutoring to Interior Design students, both at Degree and Diploma level.

Laura has a BA Honours in Textile Design specialising in interior applications - her passion for interiors led her to continue her studies and achieve the Professional Diploma in Interior Design at the NDA. She has worked for an interior design company delivering a design service to residential clients following projects from concept to completion and has also undertaken freelance projects. Her valued experience makes her ideally suited to tutoring Interior Design students, both at Degree and Diploma level.

Liam completed his BA Honours in Interior Design in Manchester and went on to exhibit his work at the new designers event in London and was published in the Big Contemporary Book of Illustration by Martin Dawber (2009). He has also studied Fine Arts, Graphic Design and Structural Design. In his spare time, Liam can be found in his photographic studio (One Shot) shooting fashion and portrait photography. Combining his passion, both for design and teaching he went on to become a tutor at the NDA, bringing valuable skills to the team, in particular CAD design.

Since graduating with a BA Honours in Interior Design at Leeds University, Kim has amassed impressive experience working as an Exhibition Designer at Tyne and Wear museums and on retail, leisure and product design for Marks & Spencer and Lloyds TSB. Kim is fluent in all current versions of AutoCAD, Photoshop, Illustrator, SketchUp, 3D Studio Max, Autoviz, Vector Works, Solid Works and InDesign and tutors interior design students at Degree and Diploma level.

Luke has an impressive design heritage - his family has been running the successful Thorndyke Design practice in Leicester for over 110 years! He completed a BA Honours in Interior Design at Lincoln University and has also achieved a Foundation Degree in Art and Design along with Graphic Design. Luke has a keen interest in, and the soundest possible understanding of, how digital information has influenced Interior Design in recent years.

Natasha practiced as an Interior Designer for over three years with Madelaine Peace. She has a Fine Arts Degree gained at Manchester Metropolitan University, a Foundation Diploma in Art & Design and a Diploma in Interior Design. She has experience in project managing of both commercial and residential schemes. After studying for her teaching qualifications, she has taught a variety of workshops on all aspects of Art & Design and joined NDA to combine her passion for teaching and Design! Natasha tutors Interior Design students at Degree and Diploma level.

Ann has been a Curtain Making and Soft Furnishing tutor with the National Design Academy for the past seven years, teaching and assessing students in studio and on our distance learning programme. Her expertise and passion for the subject ensures students experience a high standard of professional training to produce quality products for private clients and the interior design market. For many years, Ann has undertaken freelance commissions for her textile artwork and soft furnishings and sources antiques for clients making her suitably qualified to offer practical business advice to students.

Sarah has come from a retail training background with over 10 years experience in management. During this time she was responsible for training and developing teams with in-depth product knowledge while providing excellent customer service. Sarah completed both the Diploma in Professional Interior Design and the Diploma in Professional Curtain Making & Soft Furnishings. Following her outstanding performance, she became a tutor at the NDA.  She is currently in her final stages of studying the Foundation Degree in Interior Design which gives her excellent insight for her role, heading the Student Support Department.