Stuart Ailion is a senior lecturer at our Business School in Manchester. He draws on his extensive business experience, his journey into teaching and his passion for inspiring students.
By April Baniqued. Published 23 June 2026.
Talk us through your career journey
I have an extensive professional business career. This includes operating as a management consultant at board level and as an SME non-executive director, as well as many years of trading in fashion buying and merchandising. I have worked with the Littlewoods Home Shopping and e-commerce brands with combined sales of £600M per annum and managed a team of 50 through four direct reports.
During this time, I developed expertise in direct sourcing and product development. I worked with manufacturers in Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Africa and Europe.
I also gained senior-level skills. This included strategic planning, team management, mentoring, own-brand product development, range-build architecture, customer and market dynamics, and change management. All of these were developed while working within mass-market UK high-street retail and public limited companies (PLCs).
In my teaching practice, I frequently draw on experiences from my business career and my role as the Founding Director of an innovation start-up, MMT Textiles.
MMT Textiles was a research and development company that created a fibre technology, partly funded by an Innovate UK grant award. Using this technology, they made a non-woven textile that changes how warm and breathable it feels depending on moisture levels. This helps reduce discomfort when people are exercising. The company collaborated with industrial manufacturers and brands to create prototypes using their in-house research and development facilities. MMT Textiles also worked with global brands to develop textile samples to commercial standards. This included PrimaLoft, Freudenberg Group, VF, Under Armour and Nike. The fibre technology was granted patents in the US, Europe and Far Eastern jurisdictions. The journey towards achieving this legal protection provides rich teaching and learning opportunities.
What sparked the decision to go into teaching?
When we started MMT, my commitment to the investors was two to three days per week so I had time on my hands. I was invited by an ex-colleague to do some guest lectures at MMU. I really enjoyed the experience and, more importantly, the students seemed to enjoy what I was talking about. I was then invited to teach part-time as an associate lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) from September 2014 to November 2022. My business experience and professional practice provide a rich seam of anecdotal material relevant to business strategy and marketing-focused modules.
How did you find yourself working at the University?
After exiting MMT, I had more time on my hands. I joined The University of Law Business School (ULBS) in September 2022 as a visiting lecturer, while juggling campuses with MMU. I was then invited to apply to be one of the first full-time business lecturers on the Manchester campus. I became a full-time lecturer in November 2022 and was then promoted to senior lecturer in November 2023, having secured Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.
What achievements are you most proud of?
Nothing on earth beats seeing your children grow into mature adults with successful careers. My two eldest are alumni of the University, having completed their professional practice qualifications on the Manchester campus. They even gave me three grandchildren. It is true what everyone says about grandchildren; it's hard to articulate the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren.
Not many people have the opportunity to grow in a second career. I see myself as very privileged to be able to do something that I feel equipped to do and that others seem to benefit from. Not a day goes by when I don’t feel proud to be able to help develop the business careers of the students. In some way, they can benefit from my many years of professional experience.
Who has influenced you on your journey?
Professor Roland Smith has influenced me in my career journey. He was my mentor when I studied for my Master's degree in Marketing. He was not only large in stature but also a giant in the UK business environment. He held too many Non-Executive Directorships and Chairmanships to count. He was even the first Chairman of Manchester United when the club became a PLC. He likened his management style to Joe Jordan’s playing style (If you know, you know). This business aggression was demonstrated when he successfully fought off Tiny Rowlands in the famous Harrods/House of Fraser takeover battle in the 1980’s. I learned so much from Professor Smith. I sincerely hope that my students will reflect on the impact I may have had on their careers.
What experience has made you feel the most rewarded by teaching?
Just a few weeks ago, I received an email from a postgraduate student who felt my sessions were “inspiring and full of insights”. He went on to say, “I have learned so much from your teaching style and your industry-driven perspective. I feel fortunate to have been in your class.” Feedback like this is why we all do this job.
What keeps you passionate about your role?
The ULBS Manchester campus has such a supportive team ethos. Both peers and senior leadership go out of their way to help colleagues. This keeps everyone motivated and helps deal with the pressure that comes in a deadline-dependent environment.
What’s one aspect of teaching that truly excites you?
My wife once said to me that teaching was a perfect career for me because I get to talk to hundreds of people and they have to listen to what I say. For me, I really enjoy the performative aspects of face-to-face teaching. Students must see enthusiasm from their lecturers. How else can you keep their attention for two hours? If you don’t love your subject, you can’t expect the students to. I get excited about combining anecdotal business experience with theoretical frameworks. Each workshop for me is showtime. If I can somehow help the students on their journeys to successful business careers then I have done my job.
What can students look forward to when they walk into your classroom?
I expect mutual respect between the students, myself and with each other. I only have two rules for the classroom. One voice at a time and no mobile phone engagement (other than accessing course materials). The students can expect both to be enforced. Other than that, all students are encouraged to take part in lively debate in an atmosphere of inclusivity.
What advice would you like to give to students?
Be prepared for student-led learning. Think of your lecturers as conductors of an orchestra. They guide the overall direction and provide expertise. That said, you are the musician responsible for practising, mastering your instrument and contributing meaningfully to the performance.
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