Source Fashion announces advisory board

Key UK sourcing tradeshow Source Fashion has formed an Advisory Board “featuring dynamic thought-leaders and experts dedicated to responsible and ethical fashion”.

Created “to help guide the future direction of the show and ensure it continues to deliver cutting-edge content across the whole fashion supply chain”, the new board members’ experience spans large fashion brands, retailers and industry associations. 

It features Nicola Kirby, Head of Sourcing at John Lewis; Oliver Bruckner, ex-Production Director at French Connection; Hannah Birkinshaw, Senior Buyer at Karen Millen; Hayley Shore, Design Director at Pepsi Co; Simon Platts, Ex-Sourcing Director at ASOS; and Melissa Craft, Senior Sourcing Manager at New Look. It’s chaired by specialist editor and publisher Lauretta Roberts.

The board aims to meet twice a year to discuss themes including working towards a circular economy, alternative, sustainable materials, digital product passports, tackling overproduction and overconsumption, building traceability and transparency, and working with new EU legislation.

Suzanne Ellingham, Director of Sourcing at the show, said the event was “created because of feedback from the industry, so the formation of the board is a very exciting development. We are fortunate to be rapidly growing, but as we do it is vital to us that our show continues to be guided by the community which [it] has been created to serve so we can continue to deliver value to them.”

Simon Platts added: “Meeting peers in person, looking at products, listening and talking about the industry issues are, without a doubt, vital to a healthier, more collaborative, and productive industry.”