Top retailers including Arcadia tycoon Sir Philip Green and Marks & Spencer boss Marc Bolland – along Take that star Gary Barlow – celebrated a new generation of fashion talent at London’s Fashion Retail Academy Awards yesterday.

Fashion Academy 2012

The shopkeeping school, originally established by Green and backed by retail giants Marks & Spencer, Next and Tesco, now has the support of 105 fashion firms and 70% of its graduates go straight into jobs.

Green said the Academy was a great example of the how UK retailers are working together to provide opportunity for young people.