Frances-Marie Hitchen

I am a Lecturer within the School of Justice, Security and Sustainability with a background in Travel, Tourism and Events. With over 10 years experience of working within the industry and over 10 years experience of lecturing, I am able to bring in real life scenarios to my teaching practice. The experiences I have gained through my previous careers has enabled me to have extensive knowledge of many aspects of the industry and how to exceed customers’ expectations through excellent customer service training which has filtered through in to my lecturing role.

I graduated from Leeds Beckett University, Centre of Excellent in Tourism, with a BA (Hons) International Tourism Management, whilst studying I was able to keep up to date with emerging trends and global issues. I experienced new challenges and develop skills required to enter the industry at a professional level. Embedded within the degree was a placement year where I worked for First Choice in Menorca as a Holiday Representative. I also worked closer to home in the UK at a local hotel chain working with Operations Management, Events and Conferencing and the Reception teams. In my final year of studies I also gained part-time employment at Headingley Cricket Ground in the Events and Marketing departments developing, promoting and selling VIP experience days.

Upon graduation I pursued a career in the industry as Cabin Crew for Thomson Airways (TUI). I loved every aspect of the job, and I am incredibly proud of this, dealing with the health, safety, security and customer experience flying clients to some of the most exotic places around the world. This ultimately opened up my career in education. I originally started as a guest speaker going around schools and colleges to inspire young minds, discussing my role as Cabin Crew, experience of HE and the Travel, Tourism and Events industry on how it impacts the UK and global economies. This led to my previous employment with Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group. I completed my PGCE with Staffordshire University, whilst lecturing part-time, and subsequently gained employment with NSCG as a full-time Lecturer in Travel, Tourism and Events and Business Management. Within this role I progressed to a Curriculum Leader for FE and HE provisions for Travel, Tourism and Events having the responsibility of developing, delivering and managing multiple programmes, lecturing across a wide range of courses/levels both within Travel, Tourism and Events and Business Management including, Level 2, 3 and leading on L4 HNC (Tourism and Business Management) and L5 HND (Tourism and Business Management).