Meet The Tutors
VICTORIA HAMMOND has over 20 years professional experience as a curtain making, soft furnishing and interior design specialist working on prestigious projects mainly in London and surrounding counties. She grew up inspired by and working with her mother who ran a successful curtain making and upholstery business. Following graduation with a Degree in Textiles and a Diploma in Curtain Making & Soft Furnishings, Victoria gained experience working for fabric and design companies before establishing her business in 2001. Her award winning company is leading in the industry having trained hundreds of people from all over the UK and the World to set up professional creative businesses.
Victoria feels a huge sense of achievement and pride in her business and her students, many who now run successful businesses. Her advise is to be flexible and diverse, work hard and be willing to take risks to progress professionally. To take pride in your product and service and treat both suppliers and customers with respect and as you wish to be treated yourself.
ANDRA PEMBERTON assists Victoria on training courses. She studied at Victoria Hammond Academy in 2008. Since then she has set up a successful business working from home around her family life. Andra is very knowledgeable and patient and kind with students; her and Victoria compliment each other well in the classroom.
NATALIE WEAVERS is a renowned Interior Designer, who tutors at the Academy on the course ‘Introduction to Interior Design’. Victoria Hammond and Natalie have worked together on projects for many years; its a great personal and working relationship. Natalie is a very knowledgable, inspirational, enthusiastic tutor and believes in investing in her students interior design journey.
Natalie graduated with a degree in interior architecture in 1986 and set up her own company in 2001 after working for several practices in London, Melbourne Australia and Brunei, where she designed a hotel and sports complex for the Royal family.
Recent projects include Lahpet Burmese Restaurant Westend & Shorditch, Indi-go in Westfield & Selfridges, IThai in Canary Wharf, Kitchen Pizzeria and Scarlet at O2 Arena, Ferma Farm Shop and Bistro in Ripley and Boreal Coffee Roasters in Zurich & Geneva. Residential projects in Claygate, Boxhill, a Barn near Epping Forest and a villa in Majorca.
STEVE HARDING of BSH Contracts Blinds and Curtains, has over 30 years professional experience working as a professional fitter in the high end residential and commercial sector. His experience and knowledge is not only diverse, it is invaluable. He is highly respected in the industry and has a long standing business relationship with his customers and suppliers, including Silent Gliss who are internationally renowned for their excellent window treatment products and service. Steve commenced his career working for John Lewis and then went on to work for himself including setting up, running for nearly 20 years and then selling Ace Contracts, who are one of the leading suppliers on automated blinds and curtains in the UK.