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About UKFT

UKFT is committed to delivering sustainable growth for the entire UK fashion and textile supply chain. We bring together brands, designers, manufacturers, suppliers, educators and retailers to promote their businesses and our industry, both in the UK and throughout the world.  

We offer practical advice and technical support to help member companies grow. We champion the industry on a global stage and support UK companies to trade internationally. 

With a growing focus on sustainability and innovation, UKFT is driving meaningful action in the transition to a circular economy. To help attract, train and retain the best talent, we develop industry-led solutions to address critical skills gaps. We are passionate advocates of ‘made in the UK’, combining a fresh approach to cross-industry collaboration with over 100 years’ of experience in supporting manufacturers.

Our President is HRH The Princess Royal. 

UKFT Q3 2023 – REPORT

UKFT Q2 2023 – REPORT

UKFT Q1 2023 – REPORT

UKFT Q3 2022 – REPORT 

UKFT Q2 2022 – REPORT

UKFT Q1 2022 – REPORT

UKFT Q3 & 4 2021 – REPORT

UKFT Q2 2021 – REPORT

UKFT Q1 2021 – REPORT

What We Do

UKFT’s activity is focused on six key areas: representation, business support, international business, innovation and sustainability, skills and training, and UK manufacturing.

Voice of the industry

As the voice of UK fashion and textiles, UKFT is committed to creating the best environment for our industry. 

  • We represent the entire fashion and textile supply chain 
  • We promote the strategic and economic value of our vibrant industry to government and policymakers, ensuring the key issues are on the agenda 
  • The key UK trade associations and organisations in fashion and textiles are Federated Members of UKFT, uniting the sector on common issues  

Find out more here.

Business support

Practical advice and technical support to help member companies grow. 

  • We provide one-to-one assistance for members with business plans and strategies, compliance, market trends, logistics, IP protection, labelling, standards, range planning and pricing, employment and more 
  • Through our broad network, we provide a platform for members to share best practice and forge relationships across the industry 

Find out more here.

International Business

Championing the UK industry on a global stage and supporting UK companies to trade internationally. 

  • Through our UKFT Global Brands campaign, we showcase and promote the UK fashion and textile industry at events around the world 
  • UKFT’s international business support helps UK companies to navigate changing markets, understand complex global trading arrangements and comply with international regulations 

Find out more here.

Innovation and Sustainability  

Driving meaningful action in the transition to a circular economy 

  • UKFT is at the forefront of large-scale innovation projects to tackle some of our industry’s biggest challenges 
  • We help attract research investment and unite the industry in pre-competitive collaboration.  
  • We provide practical help and guidance to help members meet their sustainability goals 
  • Through our close connections with the UK and European governments, we help companies prepare for changes in future sustainability legislation 

Find out more here.

Skills and Training  

Addressing critical skills gaps and developing industry-led solutions. 

  • UKFT is the Sector Skills Body (SSB) for fashion and textiles. We work to elevate skills and productivity, ensuring the UK fashion and textile industry remains competitive on a global stage. 
  • We help fashion and textile businesses to attract, train and retain the best 
  • We promote careers and opportunities to the next generation of talented workers 
  • We develop new vocational and academic routes into industry that meet the needs of business 
  • Working with our Education Partners, we bring together education and industry 

Find out more here.

UK manufacturing

Supporting the growth of ‘made in the UK’. 

  • We promote the capabilities and capacity of the UK fashion and textile manufacturing base to partners in the UK and beyond 
  • We work with manufacturers to accelerate innovation, enhance skills and unlock access to investment 
  • We work with government and industry to create the right conditions for UK manufacturers to thrive  

Find out more here.

JOIN US: Grow your business and help build a stronger UK fashion and textile industry

We welcome businesses and organisations from throughout the UK fashion and textile supply chain. 

Member benefits include: 

  • Support to grow your business 
  • Networking opportunities 
  • Webinars, seminars and events 
  • Industry news and updates 
  • Labelling and compliance support (including GINETEX licence) 
  • HR and employment advice 
  • Skills and training advice 
  • International trading support 
  • And more 

Become a member

Who We Work With

UKFT members include some of the UK’s most well-known fashion and textile brands, heritage success stories and emerging designer labels, alongside the manufacturers and suppliers that turn those designs into a reality. Our community spans some of the most innovative spinners and weavers the world has to offer, as well as traditional businesses preserving skills that have been handed down through the generations. We are proud to work with everyone from established family businesses through to pioneering catwalk designers, leading education institutions and progressive production units that partner with some of the world’s biggest names. Our members range in size from small and local producers up to global super brands, but what they have in common is a belief in quality, craftsmanship and a commitment to creative talent.

Textile Scotland became part of UKFT in January 2019.

Companies and organisations we work with include:

A

Abbotsford Textiles  |  Abraham Moon and Sons  |  ACS Clothing   |  Alan Paine GroupAlder & Green  |  Alex BeggAlex Monroe  |  Alexander Manufacturing  |  Alfred Dunhill  |  Alice Timmis  |  AllSaints  |  Allied Textiles  |  Altura  |  Amack Group  |  Amara Living  |  Ambar Living  | Angel’s Face  | Ann Mackie Knitting Services and Designs  |  Annafie  |  ApparelTasker  | Aquafil  |  Araminta Campbell   |  Argos  | Artizan Training  |  ASOS  |  ASK Trading  | Ava Innes  |  Avon | AW Hainsworth | Awling

B

B Fashion Studio Ltd  |  BAKKA | Barrie Knitwear  |  Basma Design  |  Bath Spa UniversityBeauty Pie  | Belstaff  |  Berjoan | Bellwoven Packaging  | BJD Design/Belinda Robertson  |  Blackhorse Lane Ateliers  |  Blade & Rose  | Black & Beech | Blake Mill  |  Bleachers | Boden | Bodywear Lab | Bonsoir of London  | Boots  |  Bower Roebuck | British Footwear Association | British Textile Machinery Association  |  British Wool  | Bristol Dye and Print studioBrooks Sports  |  Bucks New University | Burberry  | Bute FabricsByways Group Ltd

C

Calzeat  |  Calder Weaving  Camira Fabrics | Caramel Rock  | Carl Friedrik  | Carrington Textiles  |  Careaux  | Cashmere Circle  |  Cavalier Carpets  |   Cefinn  |  Celtic & Co  |  Character World  |   Charles Tyrwhitt  | Chelsea College of Arts  |  Chrysalis England  | CHT Ltd |  Cilia Fox  | Circular Design Synergy  |  Cleverly Laundry  |  CloudCloth®  | C.Nicol | Cole & Son  |  Colorifix  | Cotton Textile Company | Cou Cou IntimatesCourtney & Co  | Crimson Rose  |  Crisis UK  |  CSM LogisticsCurvy Kate

D

DAKS  |  David Walters  |  Davy J  |  De Montfort University  | DCCM Fashion | Dege & Skinner | Denholme Velvets  |  Denza  |  DHJ Weisters  |  Dinsmore  |   Donna Wilson  |   Dugdale Bros  | Duke Clothing

E

Edward Green  |  Eirini Scott Creative Design   |  Eleanor Charles England  |  Elizabeth Parker  |  Eribe Knitwear | EtoilePro |  Être Cécile  | Eustace Designs

F

Fabrika  |  Failsworth  | Fanfare Label   |  Fashion Enter | Fashion Finishers LtdFermoie  |  Firehorse  |   FiftyFigs  |  FitFreax Fitness  |  Fleur of England  |  Flora Bhattachary Fine Jewellery  |  Fox Brothers  |  Fox Umbrellas  |  Fox Williams  |  Freya Rose   |  Frock & Frill  |  FrugiFTS Dyers

G

G Ettinger | Get Stuff Made  |  G H Hurt & Son  |  Garment Labels  |  Glasgow Clyde College  | Gosha London Ltd |  Grow Wild Outdoorwear  |  Gymshark

H

H Seal  |  Halley Stevensons  |  Hanes Australasia  | Harley of Scotland  |  Harris Tweed Authority | Harris Tweed Hebrides  |  Harris Wharf LondonHaus of Montagu  |  Helen Ruth Scarves  |  Henry Bertrand  |  Heriot-Watt University  |  Hexed Fashion  |  Highland 2000 Ltd  |  Highland Natural Accents Ltd  |  HMPPS  |  Holland & Sherry  |  Home and Dry | Honeylove  |  HotSquash London  |  Huddersfield Fine Worsteds  | Humphries Weaving  | Hush  |  H Young Holdings | HYSCULPT

I

Ian Mankin  | Ingenitex | Ingles Buchan Textiles | International Tartans  |  Invista | Irregular Sleep Pattern  |  Isidore Bryant  | Istituto Marangoni

J

James Dewhurst  | James Ince Umbrellas | James Philips & Co.Jane Atelier |  Jardin Living | JD SportsJD Williams  |  J. H. Clissold |  Jo GordonJoanne Yeadon John Foster  |  John Lewis  |  John Smedley  |  John Spencer  |  Johnstons of ElginJoshua Ellis |  Joseph Joseph |  Just Group – Peter AlexanderJustine Tabak

K

Kalopsia Collective  | Katz & Mouse | Karl Donoghue |  Kate Sheridan | KBN Knitwear  |  Kei Collections |  KeltieKestin  | Key Training & LearningKillstar | Kingfisher PLC | Kinloch Anderson  | Kissy KissyKTL (Key Training and Learning)  |  Kusan AccessoriesKynoch

L

L Brands  |  La Fetiche |  Lalage Beaumont  | Laurence Odie Knitwear |  Langton London Insurance Brokers  |  Laxtons  | Lazy Oaf  | Layer Clothing | Lazy Pheasant  |  Lectra  |  Leem  |  Lees Newsome  |  Leigh Spinners  |  Lluk  |  LR.DLochcarron of Scotland | Locker Loop | London College of Fashion | London Contour Experts  | Loung-erie | Lucy & YakLuella  |  Luke 197 |  Luxury Lockstitch  |   Lyle & Scott

M

MAES LondonMacGregor and MacDuff | MacNaughton Holdings | Maggie Mowbray MillineryMagicfit  |   Malcolm the Weaver | Mamas and Papas  |  Manchester Fashion Institute | Margaret Howell | Mark Michaels Valet Services | Marks & Spencer | Marling & Evans  |  Marton Mills | Mattel |  Mayfairsilk LtdMerino.Baby  |  MG Rivers | Michael’s Bridal Fabrics | Mimi BerryMinnessak | Mint VelvetMotel Rocks  | Monsoon  | Moose Toys  |  Morning Marvels | Morphbag by GSK | Moss Bros

N

National Children’s Wear Association | National Weaving | NBrown | Nemcee  |  New Look | Next  |  Nielanell  |  Nilorn | Ninety Percent | NW TexNetNorthumbria Healthcare Facilities | Northumbria University | Nosakhari CreateLabNottingham Trent University   | Novem Vitas | Nu Blvck

O

O+A Sports  |  Olive Clothing  | Olivanna  | Oliver Bonas   |  OUBAS

P

Palava  |   P and C Retail  |  Pals Wear  |  Panache Lingerie  |  Pangaia  |  Pantherella  | Pattern Cutting Studio  |  Pattern Project |  Pennine Labels | Peregrine (JG Glover) | Perry Ellis  |  Philippa London  |  Phoebe Philo  | Pigeon Organics   |   Pincroft Dyeing  | Plain by Seye Adeola. | Plymouth College of Art  |  Pom & Granat  |  Pongees  |  Povoas Packaging   | Premier EMCO  | Premier Grip  |  Premier Textiles |  Primark  |  Probity Europe  |  Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW) | PVH Brands Australia |

Q

Qasimi

R

RA Smart  |  Rapha  |  Reiss |  Revere Sport |  Rewritten  |  River Island  |  RMJ StudioRo&ZoRobert Mackie of Scotland  | Rohan |  Romney Tweed  |  RIF Group  |  Rutland Biodynamics

S

S Dawes Weaving  |  Sabina Savage  |  Sainsbury’s  |  Salt Studio  |  Samuel Brothers  | Samuel Tweed Fabrics |  Sarah RegensburgerSass & Belle | Savile Clifford | Savile Row Bespoke  |    Scamp and Dude  |  Schofield Dyers & Finishers  | Scott & Charters (Hawick)Schofield Dyers and Finishers  |  Scottish Enterprise  |  Scottish Textiles Showcase  |  Seasalt Cornwall  | Self Made Studios Sew It In London  | Shaku  |  Shetland Woollen Co  |   Shiner  |  Shirley  |  SIL Group  |  Simmons Bilt  |  Simon Carter  |  Sinclair Duncan Textiles   |  SIPS  |  Sleex  |  SLG Brands Ltd  |  Smalls Merino   | Smart Currency Exchange  | Snag Tights  | Soubi Studios |  Splash About  |   Stretchline UK  | Standeven Fabrics  | Stephen Walters  |  STTC Test Laboratory  | Studio NicholsonStudio Pia  | Swatch Editor

T

Tateossian  |  TBlaque  |  TCC Global  |  TechStyle Group  |  Tesco  |  Tessuti Scotland |  Textile Centre of Excellence |  Textile InstituteTextiles Scotland The Bonnie MobThe Continuity CompanyThe Deck  | The Fashion & Textile Design Centre | The Natural Fibre CompanyThe Production Lab |  The Saddlers’ Company |  The Shetland Tweed Company |  The Tailoring Academy  | The Tartan Blanket Co  |  Thirty Three Threads |  Threads London  | The Yarn Dyers |  Toastie  | Todd & Duncan  | Toray Textiles |  TielleTry & Lilly  |  TRS Worldwide  |  Trutex

U

Universal Works   | University of Bolton | University of Huddersfield  |  University of Leeds  |  University of the Arts London | University of Westminster  |   Urban Outfitters  |  URSA straps  |  Uskees

V

Valpak  |  Vassilisa  |  Victoria Beckham  |  Vild – House of Little

W

Wacoal | Wallace Sewell  |  W Brewin & Co |  Weavabel  |  WEPT – London Fashion & Textiles AcademyWemyss Weavecraft | Westminster Kingsway CollegeWhite Stuff | Wicker Wings  |  Winchester School of Art |  Wilsa Narrow Fabrics  |  Wittypoint  |   WoolmarkWorkwear  |  Wrendale DesignsWilliam Halstead

Y

Yarmouth Oilskins

Z

Zedonk

0-9

47 Brand

 

Who We Are

The Board

The UKFT Board uses their skills and varied industry experience to support the organisation and ensure strategic direction, with regular meetings throughout the year.

Select a board member

Nigel Lugg OBE | Chairman

Nigel Lugg OBE is Chairman of UKFT and a highly experienced consultant in European retail and global manufacturing. He was most recently Group Chairman of the Prominent Europe, which specialised in clothing supply. Prominent served a broad client base offering men’s shirts and suits, womenswear and casualwear to retailers across Europe, with offices in Barcelona, Paris and Milan as well as London and Nottingham. It also owned the Chester Barrie brand and held the menswear licence for Richard James Mayfair.

Originally a buyer at Liberty and then House of Fraser, Nigel moved onto the supply side of the industry in the mid-80s when he became European CEO of Warnaco. Then in 1992 he became a founding partner of Prominent Europe, setting up the business in conjunction with the Itochu Corporation.

Nigel became CEO in 2002; at the same time as Itochu took full control of the company. He has overseen the company’s development from shirt specialist to the broader role it has now.

He also led Prominent into the branded market, buying Chester Barrie in 1997. From one store on Savile Row the brand has now grown to 13 shop-in-shops in the UK and Italy and has a healthy wholesale business. The Richard James Mayfair licence began at the start of 2012 and already there are seven shop-in-shops in the UK and France.

Ian Maclean MBE | Deputy Chairman

Having grown up with the John Smedley brand as an 8th generation family shareholder, Ian chose to begin his career within finance working for 3i plc, the UK’s largest private equity provider. Following this, Ian began a 14 year advancement through niche multi-channel retailer Orvis, leading areas across buying and sales for both the US and UK. The brand saw rapid growth during the period, expanding from 4 to 27 shops, and Ian ultimately took charge of sales and marketing within the UK.

Having grown up with the John Smedley brand as an 8th generation family member, Ian joined the business as a Non-Executive Director in 2000, progressing to Chairman in 2008, and finally becoming Managing Director in 2010. In 2013, John Smedley was granted the Royal Warrant of Appointment by Her Majesty The Queen, and received a visit from Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh in 2014.

Under Ian’s leadership the brand has consistently moved forward, not only developing its design aesthetic to attract new consumers, but also strengthening its core values as a contemporary luxury brand. Ian has led the company to increasingly profitable growth in the last few years.

He was awarded an MBE for services to the UK textile industry and the Covid-19 response in Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday Honours list 2020. 

Ian became a Trustee of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) in May 2020 and has specific responsibility for the Charity’s finances. QEST is the UK’s premier charity supporting excellence in British craftsmanship through Scholarship funding. 

Stewart McGuffie | Treasurer

Stewart joined Allied Textiles Ltd. as Chief Executive in September 2007 from Chisty Home Textiles, where he was the Director responsible for Sales & Marketing. Previously, he had performed various international roles in Courtaulds Textiles plc, including Regional Sales & Marketing Director of the Asia Pacific fabric business, based in Hong Kong.

Stewart gained his law degree at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, before qualifying as a Chartered Management Accountant.

Adam Mansell | CEO & Company Secretary

Adam is the CEO of UKFT. He joined the industry 25 years ago and has worked across a wide number of trade bodies. Having represented all aspects of the fashion and textile supply chain, Adam has links to every part of the industry, from design, fabric and component suppliers, wholesalers, brands, manufacturers and retail.

Adam also represents the industry on a wide range of panels and groups. He is Chair of the Future Fashion Factory, a £5 million industry research project and a Board Member at the University of Leeds’ School of Design Industrial Advisory Board. He chairs the InnovateUK funded ACT Recycling Demonstrator project and is Co-Chair of the Circular Fashion Innovation Network. He is on the Advisory Board of both Textiles 2030 and the Institute of Positive Fashion. He chairs the fashion and textiles skills charity, CAPITB and sits on a number of other national and international industry boards.

Adam regularly comments on industry issues in the trade and national press.

Simon Carter | Board Member

The Simon Carter story began in 1985, Simon was studying and spent his free time pursuing his interest in vintage clothing and accessories in the stylish shops of Chelsea. His first business move came in the shape of a men’s pewter brooch which he had manufacturedand sold successfully to one of Chelsea’s most innovative jewellery stores. However, the company really found its niche when Simon developed the business to include cufflinks and watches, adding new product lines as the client list expanded.

The company continued to grow through the nineties adding in new products such as luggage and ties. Around this time Simon was crowned by the press as the ‘King of Cufflinks’ for his iconic designs such as the Aspirin cufflink. Early 2002 saw Simon Carter significantly expand the product offer to include a menswear line. PB Tailoring were granted the exclusive, worldwide rights to produce suits and shirts under the Simon Carter brand. From the start, the range proved popular with both buyers and customers alike and the collection is now stocked in leading department stores around the world.

Today, the accessories include watches, cufflinks, ties, luggage, small leather goods and men’s jewellery. The collections are carried in some of the most exclusive department stores and independent retailers in 35 countries around the world including Selfridges, Fortnum and Mason, Harvey Nichols, House of Fraser, John Lewis, Takashimaya, Bloomingdales and David Jones, as well as online.

Professor Parikshit Goswami | Director of Technical Textiles Research Centre

Professor Parikshit Goswami is Director of Technical Textiles Research Centre and the Head of Department of Fashion and Textiles at the University of Huddersfield.

Professor Goswami’s areas of research are product development using flexible materials and application of chemistry for functionalising textiles. Professor Goswami manages a large portfolio of research concerned with fibre/polymer science, nonwovens, medical textiles, sustainable materials, nano and submicron fibres, and plasma treatments for functionalising textiles. He is a member of Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC), Education, Qualifications and Accreditation Board (EQAB), and is a Trustee of SDC.

Prior to joining the University of Huddersfield, Professor Goswami was the Director of Research and Innovation at the School of Design, University of Leeds and he led the Fibre and Fabric Functionalisation Research Group.

Alan Williams | Board Member

Alan is responsible for the leadership, strategic direction and executive management of global textile design and manufacturing company Camira Group. He gained a Masters degree in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at Newcastle University, before beginning his professional career as a Process Engineer at the global electronics company Philips. He then moved to construction materials company, Owens Corning, to become Operations Leader, before joining Camira’s predecessor Interface Fabrics in 2004. Quickly promoted to the position of Operations Director, Alan joined the main board in 2005 and was part of the team which completed the management buyout from Interface to set up Camira in 2006.

For the past two decades he has been responsible for establishing Camira as a centre of manufacturing excellence, a leader in textile sustainability, and the name behind fabrics which are used by millions of people every day, on busy public transport and in a wide range of commercial interior settings. He has been instrumental in several company acquisitions to extend Camira’s vertical manufacturing capabilities, develop new technologies, and enter new markets and geographies. He became COO in 2020 and CEO in 2021.