Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Ladywell Mills, part of the West Yorkshire-based textile specialist SIL Group, on 1 October 2024, in her capacity as President of the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT).

The group employs almost 300 people at multiple sites in the UK, and its supplier and customer network covers more than 50 countries. Businesses include independent yarn merchant MBA Yarns, luxury woven fabric specialists William Halstead, Kynoch, John Foster and Standeven, commercial interiors fabric producer Abbotsford Textiles, cashmere and accessories weaver Joshua Ellis and specialist yarn dyer FTS Dyers.

Since its inception in 1970, the SIL Group has grown from its modest beginnings into a global leader in the textile industry. The group remains family owned, continuing the legacy started founder Raymond under the leadership of his sons, Andrew and Jeremy.

The royal visit highlighted the key role the fibres division plays in the group’s global operations. Specialising in sourcing natural fibres from origin markets worldwide, SIL Group provides premium materials like cashmere and mohair to a broad spectrum of clients including high-end fashion houses to bespoke tailors.

During the visit, The Princess Royal toured the facilities, learning about the intricate processes involved in refining cashmere and mohair. She was also given insight into the Group’s vertical integration model, which has been a cornerstone of its success. Every stage of the textile production process, from sourcing raw fibres to delivering finished products, is managed with a meticulous attention to detail.

The SIL Group is focused on combining its heritage with innovation. Many of the Group’s businesses can trace their roots back over 250 years, with some still operating from their original sites. This rich history is a source of immense pride, but as the family often emphasises, heritage alone is not enough to ensure future success. Every company within the Group is continually evolving to stay relevant in today’s fast-paced markets by investing in advanced technologies, refining contemporary designs and staying ahead of global trends, explained Andrew Seal.

He said: “We are deeply honoured by the royal visit today, which is a testament to the hard work, passion and dedication of our team across all our businesses. While we are proud of our heritage, we are also committed to shaping the future of textiles, and today’s visit reflects the confidence in that vision.”

The Royal Visit forms part of UKFT’s mission to support the sustainable growth of the UK fashion and textile industry.

Nigel Lugg, Chairman of UKFT, said: “We’re excited to introduce The Princess Royal to Ladywell Mills in the heart of Yorkshire’s textile industry and to showcase the wider group, which has links to much of the UK’s luxury textile sector. Most people don’t get to see what goes into creating luxury fabrics at a fibre level – it is inspiring to see the remarkable skill and expertise required in every step of the process.”

FIND OUT ABOUT MORE ROYAL VISITS

The SIL Group is a UKFT member. To find out more about UKFT membership, click here.