About UKFT
UKFT is the largest network for fashion and textiles in the UK. As the industry’s leading trade association and Sector Skills Body, we are committed to delivering sustainable growth for the entire UK fashion and textile supply chain.
We bring together brands, designers, manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, recyclers, educators and innovators 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 and trade internationally. We provide support to help businesses comply with UK and international regulations, offering guidance on areas including labelling, safety standards, sustainability, trade rules and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
With a strong foundation in sustainability and innovation, UKFT continues to influence the direction of the circular economy through research and collaboration. Our work with reuse and recycling specialists is creating a connected, sector-wide network for sustainable change from fibre to final lifecycle.
We work to elevate the skills of the UK fashion and textile industry to maintain our competitive position for the future.
We support businesses with complex global supply chains, as well as helping to drive a resilient and innovative UK manufacturing sector.
We are headquartered in London and we have staff working in Scotland, the East Midlands, Lancashire, Merseyside and Yorkshire.
Our President is HRH The Princess Royal.
What We Do
Building a stronger future for UK fashion and textiles
UKFT is dedicated to supporting the growth of member businesses and enabling the UK fashion and textile industry to meet future challenges and global opportunities.
UKFT’s activity is focused on key areas covering: representation, international business, compliance, innovation & sustainability, and skills & training. We also offer tailored business support to members from across the industry.
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, promoting our industry in the UK and overseas.
We demonstrate the strategic and economic value of our vibrant industry to government and policymakers, ensuring the key issues are on the agenda. We champion our diverse and valuable industry through campaigns and key activities.
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.
International Business
UK fashion and textiles have a global reputation for quality, creativity and innovation. Through our international trade campaigns, we showcase and promote the UK fashion and textile industry at events around the world.
Our tailored international business support helps UK companies to navigate changing markets, understand complex global trading arrangements and comply with international regulations. Find out more here.
Regulation & Compliance
UKFT membership includes tailored support to help fashion and textile businesses comply with UK and international regulations. We provide guidance on labelling, safety standards, sustainability, trade rules and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Members receive updates on current and proposed legislation, access to guides, resources and webinars, and tailored support.
We work closely with industry bodies and regulators to ensure businesses are compliant and prepared for future changes. Our support spans apparel, footwear, homeware, PPE, accessories and more, with dedicated help on product testing, translations, trade tariffs and regulation implementation. Read more here.
Innovation & Sustainability
UKFT plays a vital role in research and thought leadership, participating in both academic and industry-led projects to accelerate circularity and inform best practices. We help to attract research investment and unite the industry in pre-competitive collaboration.
We provide practical help and guidance to help members meet their sustainability goals and share best practice. 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 & Training
As the Government appointed Sector Skills Body (SSB) for fashion and textiles, UKFT works to address critical skills gaps and develop industry-led solutions. We help to elevate the skills of the UK fashion and textile industry to maintain its competitive position globally.
We bring together education and industry to respond to current and future workforce requirements. We develop new vocational and academic routes that meet the needs of business and promote careers and opportunities to the next generation. We help fashion and textile businesses to attract, train and retain the best. Find out more here.
JOIN UKFT
Grow your business and help to build a stronger UK fashion and textile industry
Expand your Knowledge, Network and Profile with UKFT.
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. As we start to close the loop here in the UK, we also work with textile innovators, as well as reuse and recycling specialists, which are driving circular solutions and shaping the future of our sustainable industry.
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 | Accessorize | ACS Clothing | AKOA Sportswear | Alan Paine Group | Albion Knitting | Alex Begg | Alfred Dunhill | AllSaints | Allied Textiles | Altura | Amack Group| Ambrose Wilson | Amphico | Ann Summers | Antich Fine English Tailors | ApparelTasker | Araminta Campbell | Argos | ArkAir | Artkis | ASOS | Asquith | Atelier House UK | A-T Five | Athletesia | Au concours | Ava Innes | Avon | AW Hainsworth | AYM Studio
B
B Fashion Studio Ltd | Babes in Armour | Barrie Knitwear | Bath Spa University | Beauty Pie | Begg x Co | Belstaff | Bellwoven Packaging | Bennett Silks | Beyond Nine | Beyond Retro Innovation Hub |Big Creative Academy | Birl | BJD Design/Belinda Robertson | Blackhorse Lane Ateliers | Blade & Rose | Black & Beech | Blake Mill | Bleachers | Bluebuck Clothing | Boden | Bonsoir of London | Boots | Bower Roebuck | Brightland | British Alpaca Fashion | Bristol Uniforms | British Fashion Council | British Footwear Association | British Textile Machinery Association | British Wool | Bristol Dye and Print Studio | B.tempted | Bumboo| Burberry | Butterflies | Byways Group
C
Camira Fabrics | Caramel Rock | Careaux |Carrington Textiles | Cashmere Circle | Celtic & Co | Character World | Charl Knitwear | Charles Tyrwhitt | Chelsea College of Arts | Chrysalis England | CircKit | Circular Design Synergy | Cleverly Laundry | Clyde Recycling | C.Nicol | Coco de Mer | Cole & Son | Collection4Clothes | College of Master Kilt Tailors | The Cotton Textile Company | Cou Cou Intimates | Courtney & Co | CreateLab by Nosakhari | Creation Mill | Creative Sample Studio | Crisis UK | CSM Logistics |CTR Asset Management | Curvy Kate
D
DAKS | David Walters | De Montfort University | Dege & Skinner | Denholme Velvets | De Mellier | Deni-Deni | Denza | DHJ Weisters | D Robinson & Co | DiamondIcon | Dinsmore | Donald Ward Ltd | Donna Wilson | Duke Clothing
E
East IP | EdNerat | Edward Green | Eirini Scott Creative Design | Eleanor Charles England | Elizabeth Scarlett| Elomi | Epoch Biodesign | Eribe Knitwear
F
Fabletics | Fab Materials | Fabrika | Failsworth Hats | Fanatics | Fantasie | Fashion Enter | Fashion Finishers Ltd | Fashion Toolbox | Fermoie | Fortune Eximports Ltd | Fox Umbrellas | Fox Williams | Frahm Jackets | Freya Lillie | Freya | Frock & Frill | Frugi | FTS Dyers
G
G Ettinger | G H Hurt & Son | Garment Labels | Gemell | Genevieve Sweeney | Ginger Autumn | Glasgow Clyde College | Glenlyon | Gloverall | Go Dauntless | Goddess | Gooddrop | Gymshark
H
H Seal | Halley Stevensons | Hanes Australasia | Harley of Scotland | Harris Tweed Authority | Harris Tweed Hebrides | Harris Wharf London | Henri-Lloyd | Henry Bertrand | Heriot-Watt University | Hid’n | HM Prison & Probation Service | Holland & Sherry | Huddersfield Fine Worsteds | Hump | Humphries Weaving | Hush | H. Young Holdings
I
Ian Mankin | Indigo & Goods | Ingenitex | Invertère | Intertek | Invent Interior Solutions | Invista | Irregular Sleep Pattern | Isabelle Pennington-Edmead | Isidore Bryant | Istituto Marangoni
J
J Barbour & Sons | J&D Wilkie | Jacamo | James Dewhurst | James Ince Umbrellas | Jane Lewis Fashion | Jardin Living | JCA London Fashion Academy | JD Sports | JD Williams | J. H. Clissold | Jellycat | Jo Gordon | John Foster | John Lewis | John Smedley | John Spencer | Johnstons of Elgin | Joshua Ellis | Joseph Joseph | J Pillow | Juicy Bumbles
K
Kaeruskin | Kalopsia Collective | Katz & Mouse | Kate Sheridan | Kei Collections | Keltie | Kenneth Mackenzie | Kestin | Key Training & Learning | Killstar | Kingfisher PLC | Kinloch Anderson | Kissy Kissy | Kuoyu Wang | Kusan Accessories | Kynoch of Scotland
L
LaundRe | Lalunah | Laurence Odie Knitwear | Langton London Insurance Brokers | Laxtons | Lazy Oaf | Lectra | Leem | Leigh Spinners | Liberty London | Lindsay Girvan | Livia | Little Tiger Press | LK Bennett | LLUK | Lochcarron of Scotland | London College of Fashion | London Metropolitan University │ Loung-erie | Love Bee | Lovehoney | Lucy & Yak | Luke 1977 | lululemon | Lyle & Scott
M
Maake Fabric Printers | Madison | MAC.N By Macnaughton | Mademoiselle Prune | Magee Weaving | Magicfit | Màiri M Macleod | Mamas and Papas | Manchester Fashion Institute | Mansfield Town Footwear & Clothing | Margaret Howell | Marks & Spencer | Marame | Marton Mills | Marvic Fabrics | Matoha | Mattel | Mayfairsilk Ltd | MBA Yarns | Michael’s Bridal Fabrics | Midland Wiper | Mimi Berry | Minnessak | Mint Velvet | Mioene | Motel Rocks | Monsoon | Montane | Moose Toys | Morning Marvels | Moss Bros | MPMC | MSA Safety | M.Wright & Sons
N
National Weaving | N Brown | New Era | New Look | Next | Nikolo Bertok | Nile & York | Nilorn | Nobody’s Child| Noost Knit Co | Northumbria University | North Lane Group | Nosakhari | Nottingham Trent University | Novem Vitas
O
O+A Sports | Obé | Olive Clothing | Oliver Bonas | One Collective | Only the Blind | O Pioneers | OUBAS
P
Palava | P and C Retail | Panache Lingerie | Pangaia | Pantherella | Passenger Clothing PCIAW | | P D S Tailoring | Pennine Labels | Peper Harow | Peregrine (JG Glover) | Perry Ellis | Peter Reed | Phoebe Philo | Phosphenes of London | Pigeon Organics | Pika | Pincroft Dyeing | Pink Elephant Group | Plain by Seye Adeola | Pokémon | Pom & Granat | Pongees | Portman Street | Post Carbon Lab | Powerplay Brands | Premier Textiles | Primark | Probity Europe | ProcureCircular | Project Re:claim | Pulsar | Push Group
Q
R
Rachel Riley | Rainbow Designs | Rapha | Ration.L | Recycling Rags UK | Reen | Reflo | Reflexone | Reimagined Textiles | Reskinned | Revere Sport | Re-wrap | RE & UP Technologies | River Island |Roberts Dyers & Finishers | Robert Mackie of Scotland | Roberts Recycling | Rockahula Kids | Rohan | Royal College of Art |
S
Sabina Savage | Sainsbury’s | SAIT Recycling | Salt Studio | Salvation Army | Samuel Brothers | Sass & Belle | Savage x Fenty By Rihanna | Savile Row Bespoke | Scamp and Dude | Schofield Dyers & Finishers | Scottish Textiles Showcase | Scoutnecker | Seasalt Cornwall | Serena Bute London | Seven Star Textiles | Sew It In London | Shaku | Shetland Woollen Co | Shima Seiki | Shiner | Shirley | ShopfromCrisis | SIL Group | Simmons Bilt | Simply Be | Simon Carter | Sinclair Duncan Textiles | Sleex | SLG Brands Ltd | Smart Currency Exchange | Snag Tights | Snüz | Soane Britain | Söder Studio | Solena Materials | South Beach | Splash About | SportPursuit | Strathberry | Standeven Fabrics | Stephen Walters | Stormhold | Studio Nicholson
T
Taska | Tateossian | tbco | TCC Global | Tera Mira | Tesco | Textile Centre of Excellence | Textile Institute | Textile Recycling International | The Cotton Textile Company | The House of Edgar | The Isle Mill| The Little Green Sheep| The Manchester College | The Natural Fibre Company | The Own Studio | The Production Lab | The Saddlers’ Company | The Sewing Rooms | The Stitch Society | The Tailoring Academy | The Tartan Blanket Co | The 44 Group | Thirty Three Threads | Todd & Duncan | Toray Textiles | Tower Garments | Tradeway Shipping | Traid | TransPerfect | Trimco | Try & Lilly | TRS Worldwide | Trutex | Tweedmill Textiles
U
Ulster Weavers | Umbasse | Underground England | Universal Works | University of Huddersfield | University of Leeds | University of the Arts London | University of Manchester | University of Southampton | University of Westminster | Untrakt | Urban Outfitters | URSA straps | Uskees
V
Valpak | Victoria Beckham | Victoria’s Secret
W
Wacoal | Wallace Sewell | Weavabel | Westminster Kingsway College | Weekend Offender | Westbrook Agency| White Stuff | Whitehill & Wilsons | Wigan and Leigh College | Wilkie | Wildness Lingerie | Wisla Narrow Fabrics | Wittypoint | Woolmark | Wooltex | Women’s Best | Workwear | Wrendale Designs | William Halstead | WSP Textiles
Y
Z
ZERØTEC | Z Hinchliffe & Sons | Zori Tex
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.
Stewart McGuffie | Chairman
Stewart became Chairman of UKFT in January 2025, after many successful years as Treasurer.
He is currently Group Chief Executive of Allied Textiles Ltd, a supplier of warping threads into the automotive supply chain. Pre joining as Chief Executive in September 2007 from, where he was the Director responsible for Sales & Marketing. Previously, he had performed various international roles in Christy Home Textiles and Courtaulds Textiles Plc.
Ian Maclean MBE | Treasurer
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, becoming Managing Director in 2010 and then Executive Chairman in 2025. 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.
Caroline Attwood | Board Member
Caroline is Managing Director at Margaret Howell and brings over 30 years’ experience in the design and retail sector. Her career includes senior roles at Mulberry, Anya Hindmarch and Ally Capellino in the UK, as well as international experience in the US, Australia and Italy.
Professor Parikshit Goswami | Director of Technical Textiles Research Centre
Professor Parikshit Goswami is Director of Research 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.
Alan Williams | Board Member
Alan is CEO of the global textile design and manufacturing company Camira Group. Camira produce fabric for transport use and 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.
Simon Carter | Board Member
Simon has run his eponymous company Simon Carter since the mid 1980’s. The business started producing cufflinks and watches, gradually expanding into a full menswear offer. adding new product lines as the client list expanded.
Today the collections are carried in some of the most exclusive department stores and independent retailers in 35 countries around the world.
Adam Mansell | CEO & Company Secretary
Adam is the CEO of UKFT. He joined the industry 30 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.
He is a Board Member at the University of Leeds School of Design Industrial Advisory Board and 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. He is also President of GINETEX, the International Association for Textile Care Labelling.
Adam regularly comments on industry issues in the trade and national press.