Blog post by, Tom Pell, Head of Economics & Business
Last week, our Business Studies cohort headed to London for an unforgettable industry insight trip, starting with a behind the scenes visit to FashionForward — a bespoke fashion manufacturing studio known for producing small-batch, high-quality product lines for designer brands. Pupils were amazed to learn that they have even created founders’ lines for Gymshark, giving a real sense of how fast-growing brands rely on specialised UK manufacturers to bring new concepts to life.
During the visit, we explored the major challenges facing the modern fashion sector. One of the biggest issues we discussed was the difficulty of building reliable supplier relationships, especially when sourcing materials from abroad. Staff explained how geopolitical conflict, trade barriers and shipping delays can completely halt production, affecting launch dates and damaging brand reputation. Another fascinating aspect was the impact of AI and new design technologies. FashionForward demonstrated how AI image generation is now used to test ideas, visualise designs and speed up the prototyping process — a huge shift from sketching and physical samples alone.
After the factory tour, we travelled to Stamford Bridge to explore the commercial powerhouse behind Chelsea Football Club. Seeing the stadium from a business perspective made us realise just how complex and global the football industry really is. We learned how ticket pricing strategies, matchday revenues, shirt sales and especially international merchandise exports all contribute to the club’s financial strength. It was surprising to see how much revenue comes from overseas fans who buy kits, stream games and travel to London for matches.
We also examined the importance of sponsorship and off-pitch investment. Our guide emphasised that securing long-term commercial partners is vital for maintaining financial stability in such a competitive market. These deals support everything from academy development to marquee signings — proving that football success depends just as much on boardroom decisions as performances on the pitch.
Overall, the trip was genuinely inspiring. Experiencing two completely different industries in a single day showed pupils how essential adaptability, innovation and smart decision-making are for any successful business. Pupils left feeling excited, informed and even more motivated to study Business.
