UKFT has appointed Professor Parikshit Goswami, Director of Technical Textiles Research Centre and the Head of Department of Fashion and Textiles at the University of Huddersfield, to the board to help the association increase its focus on innovation, R&D and sustainability.

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.

His appointment comes as UKFT has added a sixth pillar to its areas of activity, with innovation, R&D and sustainability joining the existing pillars of representation, business support, international business, skills and training and UK manufacturing.

UKFT works across a wide range of projects to help the UK industry take full advantage of these new technologies and markets and to help change the future landscape of the textile industry in the UK into one where circularity and environmentally sustainable supply chains are the new normal.

Most recently UKFT has started working with IBM, Tech Data and the Future Fashion Factory to design, prototype and pilot a new technology platform to help the UK fashion and textile industry to drive sustainability and profitability through increased transparency within the supply chain. Retailers Next, H&M (COS brand), N Brown, New Look and yarn manufacturer Laxtons will be part of the initial pilot.

Adam Mansell, CEO of UKFT, said: “We are delighted to welcome Professor Goswami to the UKFT board to strengthen our links with academia and help shape our work on innovation, R&D and sustainability.

“Parik brings a fantastic insight into the technical textile sector and has also been instrumental in driving forward the fashion and textile courses at Huddersfield.

“We believe these areas will be critical for the UK fashion and textile industry’s economic recovery and growth in the years to come.”

Professor Goswami said: “I am delighted to join the board and I am looking forward to work with the colleagues in a meaningful way for the betterment of the UK Fashion and Textiles ecosystem. UKFT plays a very important role in this ecosystem, and we want our industries to have access to cutting-edge knowledge and a framework for commercialising state-of-art concepts and technology.”

UKFT INNOVATION