Leicester Forward Factory Visits Underway to Support Transparency and Continuous Improvement

As part of the Leicester Forward project, Fashion-Enter Ltd’s Head of Compliance, TJ Hussein, has commenced a programme of ethical compliance site visits to garment manufacturing facilities across Leicester.

The visits form a key component of the development of In Factories We Trust, a new industry transparency platform created collaboratively by the Apparel and Textile Manufacturers Federation (ATMF), De Montfort University, Fashion Roundtable and SP&KO, with funding support from the Garment and Textile Workers Trust.

The platform has been designed to improve visibility, accountability and access across the UK garment manufacturing supply chain, providing greater transparency for brands, retailers and consumers while supporting factories on their continuous improvement journey.

The first phase of visits took place on 8th and 9th June 2026, with four Leicester factories assessed. The remaining site visits are scheduled to take place over the coming months, with completion anticipated before the end of August 2026.

Each visit is conducted against a structured compliance framework and includes a comprehensive review of working practices, policies, documentation, operational procedures and facility standards. Findings are documented within individual inspection reports, which are then used to develop tailored corrective action plans for each participating factory.

Importantly, the purpose of the programme is not solely to assess compliance but also to provide practical support and guidance that enables businesses to strengthen standards and demonstrate continual improvement.

Commenting on the initial visits, TJ Hussein said: “I began my ethical compliance site visits this week, attending the first four factories in Leicester. It has been a very positive experience so far, with each business demonstrating a willingness to engage constructively. The areas identified for improvement at each site will be detailed within an individual report produced for each facility. These reports will include a corrective action plan outlining the required improvements to support ongoing compliance and continuous development.

“I look forward to continuing these visits over the coming month. My aim is to support each business to the best of my ability, in helping them achieve and maintain the highest ethical compliance standards. I have been encouraged by the positive approach shown so far and look forward to working with each site over the coming weeks.”

During each assessment, photographic evidence is collected and documented as part of the inspection process. These images remain confidential and are retained solely for audit verification purposes, supporting the inspection reports and associated corrective action plans.

The Leicester Forward project has been developed to encourage greater transparency and trust within UK garment manufacturing by creating clear pathways for factories to demonstrate their commitment to ethical and responsible production.

The forthcoming In Factories We Trust platform represents an important next step for the sector, providing a mechanism through which participating manufacturers can showcase their progress, engage with stakeholders and strengthen confidence in UK-made apparel.

As the remaining factory visits continue throughout the summer, the project partners remain focused on building a robust and credible framework that supports both accountability and long-term industry improvement.

By combining independent compliance assessments, constructive corrective action planning and greater supply chain transparency, Leicester Forward aims to reinforce Leicester’s position as a responsible and forward-thinking manufacturing hub within the UK fashion and textile industry.