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LondonApril 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NABA, Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti, announces the appointment of Diego Mattiolo as School Director and Head of Education for its new London campus, with courses starting from the 2026/2027 academic year.
Diego Mattiolo School Director and Head of Education NABA London campus.
This appointment marks a strategic step in the development of NABA’s educational model and strengthens the Academy’s presence in the UK market, which is increasingly focusing on creative education to meet the growing demand for skills in the cultural and creative industries.
With over a decade of international experience in academic management, Diego Mattiolo brings to NABA strong expertise in leading multicultural teams and developing dynamic, student-centered learning environments. His international profile, combined with his deep roots in the UK context, will be key to positioning the new campus as one of the most dynamic and inspiring environments for creative and artistic careers in the world. As Mattiolo emphasized, the goal is to build an international learning environment that enriches the typical care and craftsmanship of Italian expertise with an inclusive, project-driven approach capable of directly connecting students with the professional world.
With its experience and tradition from the Milan and Rome campuses, NABA brings a unique element to London: Italian expertise, globally recognized in the fields of design, fashion, and visual arts. This tradition is understood not only as cultural heritage but as a design-driven approach that integrates research, experimentation, and production. It translates into an educational model that combines creative vision with practical application, in line with the motto: “Through art intelligence, we cultivate people to design new intelligence.”
Starting from September 2026, NABA London will offer Bachelor’s degrees in Design, Fashion Design, and Fashion Marketing Management, accredited by Regent’s University London. The academic programs are defined by an interdisciplinary, project-based approach, built around a “learning by doing” model. With small class sizes—up to 28 students in lab sessions and up to 40 in theory classes—direct and continuous interaction with faculty will be enabled, supporting a highly personalized education focused on individual development and the exploration of each student’s creative talent. Hands-on experience will play a key role through dedicated spaces such as the Design Lab, Fashion Design Lab, and Textiles & Knitwear Lab. These will allow students to work on real briefs, develop practical skills, and engage in dialogue with leading industry players, embracing professional methods and dynamics. The campus is located within Here East, an ecosystem where education, industry, and research coexist.
Within the London landscape, this approach also translates into accessible and merit-driven education, with scholarships of up to £7,000, depending on the qualifying round, awarded to students demonstrating commitment and talent. The scholarship is granted as a tuition fee reduction for the first academic year and may be renewed for the second and third years, provided the recipient meets the academic progress and performance standards set by the Academy.
For more information, visit: www.naba.ac.uk