News and events

Tom Hook, a second year A Level learner, held his very own fashion show to showcase his talent and vision in fashion design. 100 exclusive guests were invited to view his work, including Principal and CEO, Sir Paul Phillips, and the Chair of the Governors, Andrew Leighton-Price.

Tom, who studies Fashion & Textiles A Level, alongside Media Studies at the college, explained the process and inspiration for the evening:

“My 2023 Evening Presentation was six months in the making; 183 days work. The process consisted of thorough research that was to eventually inform my designs. Each of my garments had to be produced under safe conditions (by myself), not comprised in quality of materials, nor manufacture. The mantra I decided upon in spite of a growing taste for cheap, on trend pieces was that ‘Classic endures: beautiful clothes need not to abide trends.”

The collection totalled 15 looks styled with accessories, the clothing itself being purposely simple in concept, yet up to date with current fashion trends including the Y2K parachute cargo pants and crop-top silhouette.

The models who exhibited Tom’s designs were all peer learners, as well as makeup artists and costume assistants who were also on hand throughout the evening to aid the smooth running of the event.

The evening was described as ‘ravishing’, with nothing but positive feedback from both those involved and attendees. Nicola Stent, Tom’s fashion lecturer, commented: “It was a pleasure to see how impressed the audience were with his first collection, and I feel blessed to be part of his exciting journey.”

“My course has helped me in understanding the importance of research, has developed my sewing skills and techniques including corsetry construction present in my gold lamé finale dress. A Level Media helped me to be able to promote the event and in formatting the invitations, fashion programmes, and production set design.

“My lecturer Nicola Stent supported me a great deal in believing in my vision (even when I had doubts), and in arranging logistics. The staff at the college reinforce the organisation’s wider goal in ‘Creating Brighter Futures’, their facilities and resources unable to be faulted.”

Since the age of 14, Tom has aspired to attend Central Saint Martins or Glasgow School of Art, both internationally renowned for their fashion courses, with his dream being to walk the same corridors as McQueen and Galliano once had. In ten years' time, he hopes to be working within the fashion industry at some capacity, depending on the opportunities that come his way.

He concluded: “I would like to thank the college for its constant support and all that it does for its students as well as its contribution towards the wider local community.”

My name is Ben Hoskin, and I am the Chief Operating Officer of Regency Purchasing Group. I’ve worked here since 2009, and was appointed into this role in 2022. I also lead the UK’s largest network of field-based procurement managers.

For 20 years, Regency Purchasing Group have been helping businesses across the UK reduce their costs by leveraging the value of their collective spend. We work with over 170 local and national suppliers to support more than 5,000 businesses delivering savings of between 8-14% across all buying categories. However, we do so much more than just saving businesses time and money…

As sustainability continues to grow in significance on the global agenda, we’re helping more and more organisations align their procurement to unlock supply chain sustainability benefits and reduce the impact on social, environment and economic factors.

We will be working with Weston College, in particular the Hospitality and Catering department and the Grove, to review their supply chain and identify ways in which the college can decrease emissions to achieve their ambition to become Net Zero.

We’ve already completed a full purchasing audit which has presented over 11% of cost savings, and next we’ll be reviewing waste and recycling processes and contracts.

We’ll also be introducing our market-leading technology solutions to provide the college with full control of their purchasing, as well as providing staff and students with access to MenuIQ, our menu, allergen and nutrition management system. The functionality within this system will allow students to effectively develop their menus, manage menu costs and understand the importance of allergen and ingredient management and compliance. The MenuIQ platform has been built by an in-house team of software specialists and as part of the partnership with the college, we intend to invite students to provide user feedback which will be considered for future development and new feature releases.

For the college, there are multiple drivers for why this is will create a positive impact, including cost reduction through reduced energy costs, reduced over-specification, reduced consumption, reduced wastage as well as reduced social and environmental compliance costs.

Sustainability also comes with risk reduction benefits – it reduces the potential negative financial impact on brand value from using unsustainable products or working with suppliers using unsustainable practices, as well as non-compliance with environmental regulations.

There will also be opportunity for the college to increase revenue by charging more for eco-friendly products, as well as possible income streams from incentivised recycling and waste management programmes.

Net zero is the best way we can tackle climate change; the actions we take in the next 10 years to limit emissions will be critical to the future of the planet, so it’s hugely important that businesses and individuals work together to reduce the carbon we produce.

As a national business with roots in Weston-super-Mare, we’re delighted to be supporting such a progressive local business. I am confident that our partnership will go from strength to strength, leaving no stone unturned.

- Ben Hoskin, Regency Purchasing Group