Claire Sarah Beverley CHRISTIAN BA (Hons) MHK

Constituency:  Douglas South

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Born: Isle of Man

 

Family: I live in Douglas, and have done for over six years. My elderly parents live in Union Mills, and my husband works in the financial sector of the Island, having retrained following a very successful military career. We are both involved with multiple charities on the Island and he somehow finds the time to also volunteer as a Special Constable. We do not have children, but have three dogs, which keep us fit and healthy.  

Education: 1/3 Masters in Education; qualified secondary school teacher in design and technology 2010-2011; BA Hons in Fashion Design and Marketing 1994-1998; Distinction in Art and Design Foundation Course 1993-1994; Ballakermeen High School 1990-1994; The Buchan School 1978-1990.

 

Career: I completed my A-Levels at Ballakermeen High School in 1992 and went on to the IOM College where I completed the one-year Art Foundation course. I then attended the University of East London, reading Fashion Design and Marketing and graduated with BA (Hons) upper second Class degree (2:1) in 1998. Through my time in university I supported myself, and had many jobs, which as you would expect, even in the early 90s living in London as a student, was a struggle to make ends meet. I did an internship in my third year of university and then worked at the global fashion brand Burberry for 10 years. In this time I managed international supply chains, a large team, managed and scrutinised very large budgets, considered infrastructure strategy and capital investment, dealt with international stakeholders, worked globally at an operational and strategic level, notably in New York and Italy for the Brand. I was part of the management team when the company went through its IPO and ended my time at Burberry as Product Development Manager. I then moved to a company called Hardy Amies, dressmaker to the Queen, as Head of Womenswear, and finished my time in London working for Melissa Odabash, another luxury brand based in Mayfair, as COO/Head designer. In 2010 I decided to change career, having reached the top in the fashion industry, and made the decision to re-train as a teacher. We moved to Northumberland and I worked in the largest school in Newcastle, with over 2,600 students with very mixed social backgrounds, where I qualified as a teacher in Design and Technology through a GTP programme and spent one year as an NQT. Despite 14 years in fashion at a very high level, I have to say the two years I spent teaching were the most enjoyable of my life. I relocated back to the island with my Manx-born husband in 2012; as such, I decided to start my own business, Claire Christian Couture, which started off as a home-based bespoke service, developing into a ready-to-wear and bespoke brand and finally moving into retail. I now have a very successful boutique store in Victoria Street, which is managed by a small team of very dedicated staff for me.

CEO and Creative Director: Claire Christian Couture April 2013-current; Kenton School (secondary comprehensive) Sept 2010-July 2012; Chief Operating Officer/Head of Womenswear, Melissa Odabash July 2008-July 2010; Head of Womenswear, Hardy Amies plc Feb 2008-May 2008; Product Development Manger, Burburry Ltd Dec 2008-Mar2002; Head of Special Projects, Burburry Ltd Sept 1998-Dec 1999; Assistant Designer Jan 1997-Oct 1997.

 

Parliamentary Career

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

Member 2020-date.

Electoral History

Elected as Member of the House of Keys for Douglas South in a by-election August 2020.  

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