George reveals how to make cut

Fashion entrepreneur George Davies, the man behind the hugely popular George at Asda clothing range, has a new venture in the shape of George at Heriot-Watt, writes Olga Wojtas.

Mr Davies, who also founded retail giant Next, last week welcomed the first intake of 16 postgraduate students to the George Davies Centre for Retail Excellence.

Mr Davies's speech offered students a whirlwind survey of his autobiography: dropping out of a dentistry degree at Birmingham University; becoming a buyer for Littlewoods; launching Next, George at Asda and the Per Una range at Marks and Spencer.

"The key when you go into business is not to worry about the product but worry about the concept. You can have a great product, but if it's the wrong concept you'll be dead," he said.

John Fernie, professor of retail marketing, and head of Heriot-Watt's School of Management and Languages, said the MSc combined academic rigour with a practical edge.