UK based brands and businesses of all sizes can apply to join the largest network of companies in the fashion and textile industry 

Benefits include:

• Access to industry-specific business advice and information
• One-to-one support on developing an export strategy and routes to market
• Networking opportunities to raise your profile and make contacts with potential collaborators and business contacts
• Advice on access to financial support for international tradeshows through government funding
• Free promotion on showcasing your brand via the UKFT newsletter, website, social media and members’ directory
• Exclusive invitations and discounts on UKFT’s annual programme of events, including free entry to practical seminars and roundtable events on business related topics such as IP protection, working with agents and distributors, licencing, production cycle management, marketing and specific market roundtables such as Japan, China, USA and Scandinavia
• Licence to use the care symbols which are protected by international trademarks, registered in 70 countries
• Advice on sourcing and UK manufacturing
• Save money with exclusive deals through UKFT Associate members, covering foreign currency exchange, international logistics, payment terms, export documentation and legal advice

Retailers selling their own label outside the UK can join UKFT through the Retail Partner Programme (RPP), which provides the right to use the care symbols worldwide without incurring any further costs.
The licence to use the symbols also includes the following benefits:

• Technical booklet with detailed information on the symbols meanings and use
• Symbols graphics
• Uncapped access to our expertise on labelling advice and compliance in your target markets

Additionally, our Retail Partners gain access to:

• Advice on working with UK manufacturers
• Free entry to all of our seminars
• Networking opportunities with our other members and contacts

London based manufacturers represent and promote the sector as one voice. Becoming a member provides access to a network with which to address issues and identify opportunities collectively.

Benefits include:

• Industry representation to local and UK government
• Promotion of the group’s capabilities for improved visibility
• Targeted introductions to new customers
• Support to export and reach new markets
• Targeted skills solutions
• Coordinated action on rental and premises issues
• Opportunity to shape infrastructure, innovation and investment projects
• Access to investment and business support programs
• Exclusive networking opportunities
• Mentoring, best practice sharing and education
• Access to all UKFT membership benefits

 Be part of helping London manufacturing to thrive.

UKFT is committed to ensuring the next generation is equipped with the very latest skills, enabling the UK fashion and textiles industry to thrive. This membership is designed to bring industry and education closer together by inviting academic institutions to join UKFT.

As the government appointed Sector Skills Body for fashion and textiles, UKFT plays a crucial role in delivering a pipeline of skilled entrants into employment in the sector.

Membership offers academic institutions the opportunity to access unique benefits including:

• Discounted rates for UKFT training, including the UKFT Academic Masterclasses programme
• Access to UKFT’s production internship programme
• Access to UKFT’s Associate Members including specialists in areas such as fashion law, logistics, intellectual property and fashion production software
• Online member-only assets including colour forecasting for textiles
• Regular industry news together with multiple colleague sign up
• Academic bulletin covering the changing landscape of qualifications and apprenticeships, Brexit updates and calendar of industry shows and events
• Exclusive rates for consultancy services from the UKFT Skills and Training team including Levy advice, information and advice on national and regional skills gaps, advice on industry recognised qualifications, development days re short courses and bootcamps, advice for new providers or those new to the industry
• Opportunities to influence our conversations at UKFT’s regular Awarding Organisation forum
• OFSTED inspection support
• Select promotion to wider UKFT membership
• Advice on industry engagement with a local focus
• Links to UKFT members e.g. for industry speakers or placement opportunities

Associate membership is open to companies who are specialists in their areas of expertise and would like to provide services or information to UKFT core members.

The following is a summary of benefits to associate members:

• Opportunities to promote services to UKFT member and wider network
• Listing in UKFT’s members’ directory, distributed worldwide
• Sponsorship opportunities of UKFT events and promotions
• Raise company profile within the fashion and textile industry
• Networking opportunities with other Associate Members and Federated

The key trade associations and organisations in fashion and textiles are Federated Association Members of UKFT. This strength and depth of contacts and experience gives us an unrivalled ability to comment on all issues relating to our industry. Our combined membership is in excess if 2,500 companies throughout the UK. A full list of our current Federated members is included at the end of this document.

The Federated members meet four times a year to discuss and agree industry positions on the key topics. Over the past year the issues we have discussed the following:

• Lobbying/Political issues including

Europe

Brexit

Industrial Strategy

Industry Manifesto for General Election

Living Wage/Minimum Wage

• Skills & Training

Developing a national skills strategy for the industry

An overview and co-ordination of apprenticeships

• Export

Developing a national export strategy for the industry

An update on exhibitions, funding, a general overview of key markets etc.

• Standards

Discussion/update on key developments within BSI/CEN/ISO

• HR/Union Relations Updates

Update on wage negotiations, HR developments etc

• Environmental Issues

The Federated Group is currently chaired by David Breckenridge, the CEO of Textiles Scotland. The Chair of the Federated Associations is given an automatic seat on the UKFT Board.

In addition to discussing the broader industry issues becoming a Federated Member of UKFT gives your members an automatic 50% discount on attending UKFT’s annual programme of events, including practical seminars and masterclasses on business related topics including IP protection, working with agents, licencing, production cycle management and specific market roundtable discussions on markets such as Scandinavia, Russia and Japan. Your members also get access to exclusive deals through UKFT Associate members including, foreign currency exchange, logistics, payment terms, insurance, accounting, legal advice and several other services.