Grow Your UK Fashion And Textile Business

In this episode of Grow Your UK Fashion & Textile Business, Tara Hounslea (Director of Communications) is joined by Dr Lauren Junestrand (Innovation & Sustainability Network Manager) to explore the trends, technologies and partnerships driving change across the sector.

From AI and digitalisation to next-generation materials and textile recycling, discover how UKFT is helping businesses navigate innovation, connect with the right partners and turn emerging ideas into practical opportunities. A must-watch for brands, manufacturers, retailers, suppliers and innovators looking to build a more resilient and sustainable future.

In this episode of Grow Your UK Fashion & Textile Business, Lizzy Dakin (Sustainability Manager) explores how businesses can take practical, manageable steps towards sustainability.From understanding legislation and keeping up with changing regulation through to building a sustainability strategy and implementing meaningful action, the conversation looks at the support available through UKFT’s Sustainability 101 series, tools, insights and one-to-one member guidance.

In this episode of Grow Your UK Fashion & Textile Business, John West (Director of Skills & Training) explores how businesses can attract, train and retain the skilled people they need.From sewing machinists and textile technologists through to sustainability roles, the conversation looks at recruitment, upskilling, succession planning and how UKFT is helping build the next generation of talent.

What does it take for UK textile businesses to grow in today’s market? In this episode of Grow Your UK Fashion & Textile Business, Katie Robinson (Textile Membership Manager) shares how UKFT supports mills, manufacturers, suppliers and innovators across the UK.From exports and compliance to skills, sustainability and industry connections, hear how textile businesses are solving challenges, finding new opportunities and preparing for the future. A must-watch for manufacturers, mills, suppliers and anyone working across the UK textile sector.

Running a fashion brand today means navigating export markets, compliance requirements, supply chains and constant industry changes.

In episode 4 of Grow Your UK Fashion & Textile Business, podcast host Tara Hounslea speaks with Becky Mars, UKFT’s Head of Fashion Membership, about the practical support available to fashion brands across the UK.

Whether you are a designer-led label, D2C brand, growing wholesale business or established retailer, this episode is for you. It explores how UKFT helps fashion companies build resilience, navigate regulation and access new opportunities.

In this episode, we cover:

• Practical business advice available to fashion brands

• Export strategy and international market support

• Compliance, labelling and regulatory guidance

• Sustainability and evolving legislation

• Industry connections and networking

• Skills, training and talent development

Available on YouTube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Learn more about UKFT support for fashion businesses: ukft.org

Episode 3 of UKFT's Grow Your UK Fashion & Textile Business featuring Paul Alger MBE, UKFT’s Director of International Business. Exporting can open new markets and drive long-term growth, but it also brings complexity. In this episode, Paul outlines how UKFT helps fashion and textile businesses prepare for global opportunities. This includes selecting the right markets to navigating documentation, rules of origin, agents, distributors and payment risk. With real examples from Japan, the US and the EU, this episode gives clear, practical guidance for any company considering international expansion.🔗 Learn more about UKFT support: https://ukft.org/membership#UKFT #Fashion #Textiles #Exports #InternationalTrade #PaulAlger #UKManufacturing #TradeShows #RulesOfOrigin

In episode 2 of 'Grow Your UK Fashion & Textile Business', we focus on compliance and regulations, and what your business needs to know to stay informed, compliant and competitive.Dive into the real compliance issues facing UK fashion and textile businesses today with UKFT Compliance Manager Ava Kenny-Colwell and Director of Communications Tara Hounslea.We're also on YouTube and Apple Podcasts.

In episode 1 of the 'Grow Your UK Fashion & Textile Business' podcast, UKFT CEO Adam Mansell explains how the organisation represents the industry to government, policymakers and international partners. 

Find out more about UKFT: https://ukft.org/