Academic Team

Stuart Wiggins - Deputy Head of School

Having studied hospitality management, at Bournemouth University, Stuart worked in the Hotel sector for many years, mainly in Food and Beverage Management positions for companies such as Trust House Forte, Queens Moat Houses, Marriott and Mirvac. Stuart was also training manager for the opening of the acclaimed Merrion Hotel, Dublin.

Following his move into education, with William Blue, in 1995, Stuart has taught, at vocational and higher education levels across a range of management subjects with the Dublin Institute of Technology, Griffith College Dublin, Northampton College and the University of Technology Sydney.

With the University of Northampton, Stuart completed his Cert Ed (Post Compulsory Education) in 2003, has subsequently completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Research Methods with Macquarie University and is now a PhD candidate, again with Macquarie, where his research is focused on the area of educating for capability on hospitality management undergraduate programmes.

Stuart became Head of Studies with William Blue in July 2004 and Deputy Head of School in May 2007. A recommended tutor for the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, Stuart also represents William Blue at the Australian Association of Hotel Schools and is a student member of CAUTHE.

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Richard Latham - Program Director Commercial Cookery

Richard has spent 26 years working in the hospitality industry, holding chef positions in both London, England and Sydney, Australia over this period.

Richard’s early training was established in several 5 star hotels in London such as The Savoy, The Ritz and Carlton Tower. In 1988, he travelled to Australia and continued his career at restaurants such as Craigend (awarded 2 chef hats), Castlereagh (1 chef hat), Pier (2 chef hats) and his own restaurant, Latham’s (1 chef hat).

Richard commenced working with William Blue in 2002 teaching VTE students and has now moved on to coordinating Commercial Cookery, Kitchen Operations for Advanced Diploma in Hotel Management and VTE.

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Jeannie Middleton - Program Director VTE Programs

Jeannie has gather 30 years’ experience in the education industry, teaching English, History and Special Education; managing administration in the NSW high school sector (primarily independent schools including Cranbrook and Kambala); and serving as Deputy Principal Curriculum at Wenona, North Sydney for 10 years. As Curriculum Deputy, Jeannie was instrumental in the implementation of vocational courses at Wenona.

Her previous tertiary experience includes one year as Assistant Principal of Macleay College in Sydney.

Old but attractive animator: Been in animation for about 30 years but not over the hill yet.

Qualifications Certificate 4 in Assessment and Workplace Training and 30 years of animating, directing and everything else needed to run my own business which has done T.V. commercials, T.V. series and anything animated. Have now gone digital saving trees (by not using paper) with a wacom tablet and Flash to animate.

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Deborah Stephens - Lecturer - Academic Studies

Deborah has been involved in teaching and teaching training for the past 20 years, both in Australia and overseas. In particular, she has had experience both as a tutor and lecturer in a variety of courses at the University of Sydney including the MEd (TESOL), Dip TEFL, TESOL Certificate, the Learning Assistance Centre and the International Preparation Program. She also held a senior position at Insearch Language Centre, University of Technology, Sydney specialising in English for Academic Purposes. Currently, she is involved with Billy Blue English School and is the Academic Tutor and support person for William Blue School for Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Management.

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Philip Win Maw - Lecturer Front Office, Accommodation and Facilities Management

Philip worked as a casual Banquet Attendant in the hospitality industry whilst a student at William Blue in 1996. Upon graduation, Philip was employed as a Night Manager at the 5 star Swissotel Sydney, subsequently being promoted to Assistant Manager (Front Office). Another promotion followed in 2003 to the position of Guest Services Manager and again later to Guest Relations Manager at Swissotel Sydney.

Philip has a passion for teaching and since 2003 has taught Rooms Division Management in a range of institutions including William Blue, TAFE (Ultimo) and Kenvale College of Tourism and Hospitality Management.

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Linden Pride - Lecturer Food and Beverage

Industry and Lecturing Experience:

- Operations Manager, Salon Blanc (2006 – Present)
- FOH & Beverage Training, William Blue Hospitality School (2006 – Present)
- Glenfiddich Ambassador Program, Australian Bar Show (2006)
- National Training and Brand Development, Absolut (2004 – 2006)
- Reto Juvenil Aid Project in coordination with United Nations Development Project, Costa Rica (2006)
- Exhibitor & Coordinator, Maxxium Australia stand at the National Bar Show; sponsored by Glenfiddich and Absolut (2004/2005)
- Development, design & implementation of highly successful National Strategy to launch Slate Bourbon Training Program through Diageo – drafted and trained 90 trainers over 6 states (2005)
- Bar Manager, China Doll (2004-2006)
- Beverage Consultant & Teacher, William Blue Hospitality School (2003-2006)
- Winner of Diageo ‘Cocktail List of the Year’ (2005)
- 2^nd Place Australian Bartender Year (2005)
- Australian Bartender of the Year Nominee (2002, 2003, 2004)
- Australian Representative at ‘BOLS Mixology Conference’ Paris (2005)
- Australian Liquor Industry Awards Bar Manager Year Nominee (2004, 2005)
- Wildfire Beverage Director (2003-2004)

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Alison Hulm - Lecturer Food and Beverage

Alison brings almost two decades of local and international experience in hospitality to her role as Restaurant Manager of Cafe Sydney. Café Sydney is recognised as one of Sydney’s premier restaurants, boasting a spectacular view of the Harbour and Bridge, and hosting over 500 patrons on a daily basis. Cafe Sydney is also one of the current Industry Partners of the Career Partnership Program run by William Blue.

Prior to joining Cafe Sydney, Alison acquired invaluable experience working in luxury hotels and top-tier restaurants in Australia and the UK. Some of the restaurants Alison has worked in abroad include Stefano Cavallini at the Halkin, Leith’s Soho at the Landmark Hotel in Marylebone and Mezzo Restaurant, the largest of the Conran restaurants in Europe. Most recently, she broadened her management knowledge as Operations Manager Retail and Corporate for Spotless Catering and prior to that, as Restaurant Manager for the Radisson Plaza Sydney.

Alison has been lecturing at William Blue on a part-time basis since September 2006. Through all of her training experiences, she has remained working full-time in industry to ensure her own skills and knowledge is current and relevant.

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