Debbie is an experienced luxury brand consultant, university lecturer, and recognised thought leader in the global luxury sector. She specialises in leadership, marketing, business development, and brand strategy, with a focus on high-end experiential design and consumer behaviour.
As a Principal Teaching Fellow at the University of Southampton, Winchester School of Art, Debbie leads the prestigious MA Luxury Brand Management programme. She combines academic rigour with real-world insight, drawing on her extensive background working with some of the world’s most iconic luxury brands. Her consultancy work continues to span global markets, advising clients on brand identity, boutique strategy, and business innovation across retail and luxury services.
Debbie is the founder and host of THE THING ABOUT LUXURY — a platform exploring the evolving luxury landscape through curated insights, expert conversations, and critical reflection.
She is also a contributing author to The Oxford Handbook on Luxury Business, a definitive academic volume in the field.
With a PhD focused on the Airport Luxury Experience, Debbie’s expertise bridges luxury consumer behaviour, brand positioning, and immersive brand experiences. Her research informs both her teaching and global consultancy work, and she is a regular media contributor to discussions on the future of luxury.
Debbie currently holds multiple leadership roles: Non-Executive Director at Winchester BID, Chair of the University’s Staff Engagement Board, Chair of the Athena Swan Equality Charter, Global Luxury Consultant, Creative Leader for Future World start-ups, and Super Recruiter at the University of Southampton.
Beyond her professional life, Debbie is a passionate ultra-endurance athlete and former GB triathlete. She is an accomplished ultra-marathon runner, ranked in the top 10 globally in her age group for UTMB trail events. A proud member of the Bob Graham Round 24 Hour Club, she completed the gruelling 66-mile challenge across 42 Lake District peaks in under 24 hours.
Debbie brings the same drive and discipline to luxury brand leadership as she does to elite sport — thriving in high-performance environments where strategy, resilience, and vision define success.
