Profile: James Rutherford – London College of Fashion

Rutherford is a bit of an institution at the college – he’s been there for more than 17 years; his CV also takes in BSkyB.

• What are your main responsibilities?

My remit is to manage a team of creative professionals, technicians and learning support officers in the university’s media and IT department. For the past four months though, I’ve been seconded to work with the head of technical services solely on moving 50 staff to the new site, and decommissioning the old one. Our integrator Reflex is good, but it’s a challenge – we’re moving to nine floors of an office block with pillars and low ceilings, and trying to marry that with the requirements of a modern learning space.

• How do you think av in education will change?

We’ve taken a collaborative, integrated approach with this move – starting with design sessions with staff and working closely with the architect Penson to ensure the room design, furniture and av equipment amalgamate cohesively. It’s not a common approach, although quite a few universities are doing it. Schoms has been invaluable for ideas. Really though, the proof will come when we do some sort of evaluation. The ultimate goal is to improve the student experience with well-equipped, bright, well-ventilated learning environments, with staff who feel comfortable with the technology and the different way of working in the rooms.

• What’s the most important thing in your in-tray?

At the moment, the pressure’s on and it’s all important. It’s mainly about ensuring staff take ownership of the new space, and training a team of av technicians to train staff on the equipment. In the medium term, I’m looking at developing some studios for a visual merchandising course that we’re about to introduce. We’ll be going through the same staff consultancy process again, and building a facility that meets the needs of the new course, with small mock shop windows.

• What’s the most impressive technology you’ve used?

The iPhone and mobile connectivity has changed the way I live. More students are getting smartphones and we’re looking at CampusM, an app that allows smartphones to connect with a university’s website and virtual learning environment so students can access information on the move.

• What makes you tick?

My family calls me cynical, but I’m always optimistic – I always believe we’ll get there, and that gets me through. My new year’s resolution is not to stress so I go for walks in forests, listen to very loud music and play guitar – though not Guitar Hero.