Meet the Manufacturer taps Nigel Cabourn and Patrick Grant as speakers

In the run up to the second annual edition of the UK’s first sourcing trade fair and conference, Meet the Manufacturer, organiser Make it British have announced the final line up of speakers for the two-day event. The list consists of key industry players such as British designer Nigel Cabourn and Caroline Rush CBE, chief executive of the British Fashion Council, who will be sharing their experiences regarding manufacturing within the British fashion and textile industry.

“We have a different set of speakers this year, including Patrick Grant, creative director for Norton & Sons and E. Tautz and Caroline Rush CBE, chief executive of the British Fashion Council, as we wanted to tackle another set of challenges and finding new ways to continue inspiring people,” said founder and CEO of Make it British, Kate Hills in an interview​ with FashionUnited.

The full line up includes: Emma Willis, founder of Emma Willis Shirts; Simon Colbeck, head of innovation and quality at Marks & Spencer; Lucy Siegle, fashion journalist; David Suddens, chairman at Dr Martens; Orsola de Castro, co-founder of Fashion Revolution; Tom Kay, founder of Finisterre and Christopher Nieper, managing director of David Nieper.

“We have 24 leading industry figures who will be speaking over the two days who I’ve no doubt will motivate the bigger brands and retailers who are aiming to re-shore back to the UK as well as smaller companies looking to launch and build Great British brands,” added Hills. Over 3,000 clothing labels, retailers, buyers and manufacturers are expected to attend Meet the Manufacturer running from June 3 to 4 at the Tobacco Dock in London.