The Voices Driving Change: Speaker Line – Up at Leicester Made and Regions 2026
16-04-2026
Leicester is set to take centre stage for the UK’s fashion and textile industry on Friday 24th April, as Leicester Made and Regions 2026 arrives at De Montfort University (DMU). As the only dedicated trade event focused on UK fashion and textile suppliers, the event promises a powerful combination of insight, debate and collaboration, bringing together leading voices from across manufacturing, policy, sustainability and innovation.
Alongside exhibitors from across the UK this year’s agenda reflects both the urgency and opportunity facing the sector, with a speaker line-up that spans industry pioneers, policymakers, academics and sustainability leaders.
9 – 10 am Breakfast Networking Courtesy of DMU
- Carolyn Hardaker, Principal Lecturer in the School of Fashion and Textiles, DMU
- Jenny Holloway, Fashion-Enter, CEO
10 – 10.15 am Introduction to Leicester Made & Regions
- Jenny Holloway, Fashion-Enter, CEO
- Peter Chandler, Director of Tourism Culture and Economy, Leicester City Council
- Adam Shockat, MP, Independent MP for Leicester South
10.15 – 11 am ‘UK Manufacturing: Is Too Expensive – Or Is The Sourcing Model Broken?’
Moderator: Jill Geoghegan, Editor, Drapers
- Simon Platts, Co-Founder SP&KO Responsible Sourcing and ESG Fashion & Textiles consultancy
- Jenny Holloway, Chair, ATMF
- Snahal Patel, CEO, Foxes
- Jordan Razavi, CEO, Omnes
This panel tackles one of the most pressing questions facing the industry, challenging perceptions around cost, sourcing and the future of UK production.
11.15 – 12 pm ‘Beyond the Pilot: What It Takes to Embed Innovation’
Moderator: Kirsty McGregor, Journalist and consultant
- Dr Angela Davies, Associate professor textile and garment technology, DMU
- Elizabeth Brandwood, Head of UK Operations, Style3D | ASSYST
- Salli Deighton, CEO, LaundRE
- Shehzaad Valli, Nvcint (Manufacturer and ATMF Rep)
- Snuggle Printers – TBC Representative
Focusing on innovation in practice, this session explores how businesses can move from trial phases to fully embedded, scalable solutions.
1.45 – 2.30pm ‘Legislation: The Policy That Will Break or Save Fashion’
Moderator: Jenny Holloway, Fashion-Enter, CEO
- Niall Maplesden, Director, The Knowledge Nexus
- Kevin Withane, Co-Founder and Corporate Partner, Impact Lawyers
- Tamara Cincik, CEO, Fashion Rountable
- Adam Mansell, CEO, UKFT
- Tejas, CEO, Shahtex
- Hannah Newcomb, Co-CEO, Stronger Together
With increasing regulatory pressure on the industry, this discussion examines the policies that will define the future of fashion.
2.45 – 3.30pm ‘Sustainability: Responsibility & the Road Ahead’
Moderator: Hannah Abdulla, Editor, Just Style
- Joseph Mountain, Sustainability Manager, Nbrown Group
- Shaunacy Burne, Corporate Donations Manager, Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd
- Garry Knox, Sustainability Director, GreenEarth Cleaning
- Reshma Desai, Global Project Director, UHUMANS 2050 & The Vayyu Foundation
- Richard-Jamie Olley, Ethix
- Tamara Sender Ceron, Associate Principal Fashion Retail Research, Mintel
This session brings together sustainability leaders to discuss practical pathways and long-term strategies for responsible fashion.
3.30 – 4pm Fireside Chat: Responsibility with Jenny Holloway and Suzanne Ellingham
- Jenny Holloway, Chair, ATMF
- Suzanne Ellingham, Director – Source Fashion, Hyve Group Ltd
Closing the day, this fireside chat offers an honest and insightful conversation on leadership, accountability and the road ahead for the industry.
With a carefully curated agenda and influential speaker line-up, Leicester Made and Regions 2026 is more than just a trade event- it is a vital platform for shaping the future of UK fashion and textiles. At a time when the industry faces significant transformation, the event provides a rare opportunity to engage directly with the people, ideas and policies driving change.
To attend Leicester Made and Regions on Friday 24th April please register here.
