Scottish Development International's Fiona MacLachlan has retired after more than 40 years in the industry.Fiona has been UKFT's key government contact in Scotland for over 30 years supporting Scottish companies at key events including SEHM Paris, Pitti Uomo Florence, Project Tokyo and numerous trade missions to Japan and Russia, back in the day.Fiona studied art and textiles at Heriot-Watt University in Galashiels and then worked at a number of vertical mills (in Ireland, Scotland, England and overseas) as well as in contract interiors, with the Scottish Textile Association and Scottish Enterprise Borders, supporting local business to attract skilled workers and support creative talent. Her work across the industry led her to a 17-year career with Scottish Development International.Throughout her career, Fiona has been a passionate and engaged advocate for the Scottish fashion and textile industry with a collaborative approach between Scotland, the rest of the UK and globally. Fiona is adept at creating new events and reinventing the rules to build new commercial relationships for Scottish businesses, having once hired a barge to host a party in Paris so that local buyers and press could meet new artisans and creatives.UKFT's Paul Alger MBE has worked with Fiona and her colleagues on numerous events and projects. During the COVID lockdown, UKFT worked with SDI to use its network in Japan to take the collections ofScottish companies to Project Tokyo, manned by the SDI Tokyo Office and CPR Tokyo. Paul said: "Fiona is almost unique amongst our government trade contacts through her extensive knowledge of all parts of the industry, not just in Scotland, and her energetic commitment to the industry. She has always put the industry first and foremost - not an easy thing to do in government! The industry owes her a debt of gratitude north and south of the border."UKFT members will remember Fiona's enthusiastic hosting (and generous pouring) at the SDI Scottish Whisky tastings at Pitti Uomo and at Première Vision Paris. Fiona said: "We are extremely lucky to have textiles and fashion integrated into Scottish culture. From Harris Tweed and Tartan through contemporary design to whisky and a country full of sheep - we have at our fingertips a sustainable and naturally clean industry as a direct result of our relationship to the land."Simon Cotton of MacNaughton Holdings and textile member for the Scottish Industry Leadership Group said: "Fiona has made a truly unique and unmatched contribution to textiles from within the Scottish government. Her knowledge of the industry, of the landscape of the government system and her ability to get things done, is truly impressive. The whole industry will miss her, but will wish her the very best for a long and very happy retirement."Rosemary Eribé, founder of ERIBÉ, said: "Fiona understands the textile industry from start to finish. She quickly grasped the best support we needed on our business journey of growth and international trade. Fiona is a pleasure to work with and uses her creative mindset to solve numerous issues before they became a problem. All of us at ERIBÉ wish Fiona a new happy future filled with joy and laughter!"DISCOVER BRITISH BRANDS & TEXTILES
