The Model Academy® was formed by myself, Ruth Anderson, a former model. My modelling career began in 1985 when I was approached by a photographer, being of a cautious nature I did nothing about it then, but it did plant a seed in my mind which, although I didn’t know at that time would prove later to direct the rest of my working career.

My first job was working for a high profile management company in the light entertainment industry, which I loved and was very fortunate to meet some stars such as Freddie Star, Jim Davidson and David Essex, but unfortunately company relocation left me no alternative but to sadly seek other alternatives. I went on to work as a finance advisor for a finance house and a team leader for a telecommunications company before I relocated from Essex to Derby, where I began a long successful career as a model.

Having got myself an agent in London and Manchester, I worked in the high fashion and lingerie market as well as the commercial market. I worked on many large photographic campaigns and fashion shows for many well known brands in all areas of the industry; photographic, runway, TV. Assignments have taken me throughout the entire UK and beyond; Milan, Paris, Barcelona, Holland, Nice, Dusseldorf, Canary Islands, Vienna, Lyon and London… to name a few.

With a keen interest in dance I am NATD trained as a Ballroom and Latin American dancer and whilst breaking into the modelling industry I also trained as a hairdresser, which still comes in handy when I am present on test shoots. I even did a short stint as a photographer’s assistant, further enhancing my knowledge of the industry, so I can even fold a reflector!

Having achieved my goals as a model it seemed a logical step to use all my experience and knowledge in the modelling profession to help others succeed, after all I was once in your shoes and I know how difficult it can be. This is when the vision and hard work began to form The Model Academy. If you haven’t already, please read the about us page to learn more about the The Model Academy. It was hard work and determination over my modelling career that allowed me to work with a huge selection of clients and it is with this same determination and commitment that I aim to prevent newcomers to the industry being ripped off and exploited by unscrupulous agents and rogue operators. Below are a few photos from my modelling days: