Source Fashion explained the advisory board has been 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.
According to Source Fashion, the board will meet twice a year to discuss themes including working towards a circular economy, alternative and sustainable materials, digital product passports, tackling overproduction and overconsumption, building traceability and transparency, and working with new EU legislation.
The board, chaired by Lauretta Roberts, CEO of UK fashion and beauty magazine The Industry, comprises six of the industry’s leading buyers and sourcing directors including:
- 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
- Melissa Craft, senior sourcing manager at New Look
Suzanne Ellingham, director of Sourcing of Source Fashion, said: "Source Fashion was created because of feedback from the industry, so the formation of the Source Fashion Advisory Board is a very exciting development for the show. 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 the show has been created to serve so we can continue to deliver value to them."
Simon Platts, former sourcing director at Asos, believes it is vital that the connections and conversations in the industry go further than emails and virtual meetings.
Platts remarked: "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. From my experiences, Source Fashion offers a perfect platform to foster this approach. So, I'm glad to be joining the group, helping shape, and create what I know will be a world-leading fashion industry event for both own brand and branded teams across all aspects of job roles within the industry."
Source Fashion reiterated its role as the "gateway" to the UK fashion-buying community, putting international makers and manufacturers at the fingertips of UK brands, wholesalers, and corporates, adding that it has become a "must-attend" for decision-makers in buying, sourcing and procurement.
Source Fashion will welcome its first Malaysian and Nigerian apparel manufacturers to its already 30-strong country line-up, which is taking place from 14 to 16 July at Olympia London.
