The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) launched its new community, the Marketing Network, on Tuesday 29 April 2025 with an event aimed at micro marketing departments. Hosted at the UKFT Atrium in London,Maximum impact, minimal resources: Strategies for small marketing teamsbrought together marketers from across the UK fashion and textile industry. Attendees included over 30 brands, textile companies, mills, manufacturers and other organisations.UKFT designed the Marketing Network in response to a growing number of member enquiries regarding the support available to marketing professionals working within small departments. With many businesses operating with limited internal marketing resources, this new initiative offers support to address the specific challenges facing these teams.At the launch event, UKFT welcomed expert speakers who offered insight and practical marketing tips. Attendees heard from Laura Kadhani, Marketing Manager at Rheon and formerly at UKFT member LLUK, Lara Muchin-Shaw, Head of Sales and Marketing at Donna Wilson, and Artemis Doupa, Author ofDesign and Growthand Founder of maake and maake Academy.Attendees then worked together during a collaborative session aiming to address some common challenges in the sector, including:Limited budget and resourcesManaging multiple channels with a small teamContent creation and maintaining qualityDifficulty proving marketing ROI to leadershipKeeping up with trends and industry developmentsThe afternoon session featured a workshop led by Artificial Intelligence (AI) specialistsPush Group. Co-founders Steve Hyde and Ricky Solanki, alongside New Business and Growth Marketing Director Jai Khan, showcased practical ways to leverage AI tools for marketing. The workshop offered a hands-on introduction to emerging tools and techniques accessible to smaller teams.About the Marketing NetworkThe Marketing Network is new community bringing together one-person and small marketing teams (max. four people) from across the UK fashion and textile industry. The network includes regular in-person and digital meetings throughout the year, and aims to:Address current challenges specific to small marketing departmentsFind solutions to some of these challenges through workshops and group discussionsStay up to date with recent industry development and new marketing trendsBuild a supportive network of like-minded marketersMarketing Mornings with UKFTUKFT will also launch 'Marketing Mornings with UKFT' a 30-minute monthly online meet-up tailored exclusively for UKFT members working in small marketing teams.These sessions will offer the opportunity to:Catch up on marketing trends in fashion and textilesShare challenges and crowdsource solutionsSwap tips, tools and creative winsBuild meaningful connections with fellow membersMarketing Mornings with UKFT will take place on the first week of each month. To sign up, UKFT members can get in touch atinfo@ukft.org.Not yet a member?JOIN UKFT10
