Sustainable Apparel & Textiles in the Circular Economy

Catherine Weetman MSc FCILT FRSA - Director, Rethink Global

Catherine is a speaker, workshop facilitator and consultant, focusing on the circular economy.  Her award-winning book - A Circular Economy Handbook for Business and Supply Chains - explains the circular economy in practical terms, with lots of wide-ranging examples and tips on getting started. 

Catherine has over 25 years' experience in manufacturing, retail and supply chains, and her career spans food, fashion and logistics, including senior roles with Tesco, Kellogg's and DHL Supply Chain.  

She is a Visiting Fellow at the University of Huddersfield, and a Fellow of the RSA.  She supports the Circular Economy Club as a Mentor and City Coordinator for the Tees Valley.  Catherine is a qualified Industrial Engineer and has a MSc in Logistics and Distribution from Cranfield University, UK.

Kate Fletcher

Kate Fletcher is a Research Professor at the Centre for Sustainable Fashion, University of the Arts London and a fashion sustainability pioneer. She has written or edited eight books translated into seven languages. Her most recent work is about design and nature.

Belinda Carp

Belinda Carp is a freelance business consultant and writer, specialising in textiles sustainability and communications strategies. Between 1997 and 2018 she worked at the specialist textile publishing company, Textiles Intelligence, where she was responsible for sales, marketing and customer service. Recently published reports include: TITAS 2019 focuses on sustainability and innovation and Technologies at ITMA 2019 for reducing water consumption in textile and apparel production, and an article which will be published in the November issue of the AATCC magazine is called: "Can durability be sustainable". Current consultancy clients include an international chemical producer, an international fibre manufacturer, a sustainable/regenerative natural fibre producer, and a start-up technology company.

Tim Cooper

Tim Cooper is Professor of Sustainable Design and Consumption at Nottingham Trent University. His research interests are multidisciplinary, embracing design, consumer behaviour, business models and public policy, all in the context of environmental sustainability. He specialises in research relating to product lifetimes. Contributing Editor ofLonger Lasting Products (Routledge, 2010), he has led several projects on clothing for WRAP and served as consumer behaviour advisor for its Valuing Our Clothes report. He has also led clothing research projects for Defra, the latest of which produced the Clothing Durability Dozen industry toolkit.

Kath Davies

Kath Davies has been described as a story teller, door opener and bridge builder. She explores places and identity to generate ideas, partnerships and creative solutions. Since 1998, Kath has worked as a cultural development specialist and independent practitioner with experience ranging from creative and community action and health and wellbeing to visitor economy. From 2007 onwards, Kath has gone onto lead Local Government teams across cultural and creative economy strategy and policy, engagement and audience development, project and events management. Kath is also a qualified coach and values a collaborative leadership style. She is highly skilled in creative and systems thinking to support innovation, vision and ambition whilst also ensuring approaches are grounded in people and place. Currently, Kath is working with partners to create the conditions for culture to grow and thrive through priorities of music and textiles. The latter is being driven through the WOVEN in Kirklees biennial festival.