UKFT is sad to announce the death of Cameron Buchanan over the weekend of 17-18 June. Members of UKFT will remember him fondly as a keen and active Board member of the British Knitting and Clothing Export Council (UK Fashion Exports – UKFE) and Chairman of the UKFE Forum, which brought members and the UKFE team together to discuss challenges and opportunities of Exports and provide industry solutions.  

Cameron was a larger than life character, linguist and sportsman. He studied at St Edward’s School, Oxford and at the Sorbonne. As director of Harrison of Edinburgh, he was a passionate salesman of British cloth and he was one of the few big industry personalities to feel equally at home in both the textiles and fashion parts of the industry as UKFT was being created.  

As Chairman of the Forum, Cameron was an enthusiastic supporter of the industry, where he had many lifelong friends. Cameron’s style was engaging and democratic and he loved a good debate where all members had the chance to state and debate their views. His chairmanship of the Forum saw a number of practical achievements over the years including the drafting of a member’s template for commercial agency agreements, once Cameron had “seen off” any legal objections. There were also some very good Forum lunches.  

A keen skier and sportsman, Cameron led an active lifestyle. His fitness and love of life sustained him when he was diagnosed with a major brain tumour but this did not slow him down and, in fact, he was subsequently made Honorary Scottish Consul to Iceland and elected as a Conservative Member of the Scottish Parliament for Lothian in 2016, stepping down in 2016 and he has remained a constant presence and friend in the industry ever since.  

UKFT Board Member Belinda Robertson said: “He was a breath of fresh air who would see the light at the end of the tunnel even in the darkest of times. He was a great inspiration and encouragement to all those in our sector.” 

UKFT’s Paul Alger said: “Cam, as he was known to his friends, was without one of the most encouraging, positive and genuine people in the industry. He loved getting on the road and selling quality products from Scotland and the rest of the UK. He was passionate about our  industry and supporting the next generation. Those of us whose privilege it was to call him our friend, knew that we had a friend in deed.”