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 unrivaled ability to comment on all issues relating to our industry.

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
• 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

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. Federated 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.

Secretariat

UKFT provides the secretariat for the Lancashire Textile Manufacturers’ Association (LTMA) and Silk Association of Great Britain (SAGB). LTMA represents textile manufacturing businesses in Lancashire and the surrounding counties, providing a comprehensive industrial relations and employment law advisory service. LTMA also assist members in the areas of education, training and skills development, including the provision of grant assistance. SAGB unites raw material merchants, throwsters, dyers, weavers, printers, knitters, finishers and converters operating in the UK silk association. SAGB exists both to further the aims of the UK silk industry and to promote silk more widely.