Christopher New has been course leader for BA Fashion Menswear at CSM since 1997, just two years after the course was launched.

Prior to that from 1984 to 1997 he had his own fashion label with two boutique stores in London, another in New York, and supplying many other stores through his wholesale business, particularly successful in Japan.

Prior to launching his own business, he worked for Paul Smith for two years. He had no formal fashion design education, but did a degree in biochemistry at UCL, graduating in 1981.

He has been involved in a number of research projects, some practice based but also pedagogic looking at attainment level in cultural studies and how these were affected by prior learning. Since 2011 he has also held the post of Fashion Programme Academic Quality Coordinator, working closely with the Programme Director, focusing on managing and maintaining academic quality and procedures.