Calling Yorkshire fashion companies who want to reach new shores

SIR STUART ROSE, the charismatic former chairman and chief executive of Marks & Spencer, will join Caroline Rush, influential CEO of the British Fashion Council, as the keynote speakers at a special one-day, free conference on exporting and the UK export markets, taking place next month in Leeds, and aimed at Yorkshire’s talented and entrepreneurial fashion, retail and design companies.

Also taking part will be Sir Eric Peacock, the international entrepreneur who took his company, Babygro, to a full stock exchange listing, and many other influential fashion manufacturing and retail industry figures, including Guiseley based cloth manufacturers Abraham Moon, and Beate Kubitz of ethical Yorkshire knitwear designer Makepiece, based at Hebden Bridge.

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), are the hosts of this upcoming one-day special event, which takes place on Wednesday, October 19, at Aspire, in central Leeds.

The day kicks off with a morning of speeches and then there will be lunch combined with that all-important networking, and the chance to meet and develop new contacts.

This will be followed by a series of one-off workshops (optional) in the afternoon, giving delegates the opportunity to learn more about getting their products into new international markets, with advice on securing the funding to do so, all especially geared towards those inexperienced exporters who are eager to break new ground for their business (subject to eligibility).

This listening, networking and workshopping day will give Yorkshire creative companies involved in fashion, design and retail an invaluable insight into how they might develop their business through exporting throughout the world.

Topics will include supplying a major retail chain; building an international brand; sustainability and the retail internet.

Limited space is still available and there is no cost to enrol. Please contact Gail Leathley on 07848 033 310 or email [email protected] or go to www.ukti.gov.uk