Circular Spotlight: Fashion [Webinar]
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This free insightful webinar with fantastic speakers is a must for anyone passionate about Circular Fashion.
Hosted by Fiona Charnley, Co-Director of the Exeter Centre for Circular Economy, with guest speakers:
- Dr. Merryn Haines-Gadd, Senior Specialist for Textiles at WRAP – “Designing circular business models for fashion: key challenges and opportunities”
- Andrew Rough, CEO of ACS Clothing – “How Advanced Clothing Solutions is enabling the adoption of circular fashion solutions”
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and be part of the circular economy conversation.
Meet The Speakers
Hosted by Fiona Charnley
Fiona Charnley is Professor of Circular Innovation and Co-Director of the Exeter Centre for the Circular Economy. She is Co-Director of the UKRI National Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Hub within the University of Exeter Business School harnessing the UK’s leading research capabilities; creating new knowledge, tools, behaviours and relationships to capture economic, social and environmental value from a Circular Economy.
Fiona has published extensively within the fields of design, innovation and manufacture for a circular economy. She leads a number of government and industry funded research projects on topic including: Digital Technology and as enabler of Circular Innovation, Circular Healthcare, Circular Fashion and Textiles and Business Models for Value Retention within the High Integrity Sectors.
Fiona is Chair of the EPSRC Manufacturing and the Circular Economy Theme Strategic Advisory Board and a Senior Associate of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.
She is also a Co-Investigator of ‘ACCESS – Advancing Capacity for Climate and Environment Social Science’ funded by the ESRC; ‘Connected Everything II’ – An EPSRC funded Network+ to support Digital Manufacturing; ‘EPSRC Innovation Launchpad Network’ – coordinating a programme of Researchers in Residence in collaboration with the UK’s Catapults and the Future Fibers Network+.
Dr Merryn Haines-Gadd, Senior Specialist for Textiles at WRAP
Merryn is a specialist in design and innovation for a circular economy and leads the circular business model activities for the Textiles 2030 programme at WRAP providing expertise on the implementation and scaling of sustainable business models for the textiles industry.
With 10 years+ experience in the sustainability sector, she spent 5 years as a research fellow at the Exeter Centre for Circular Economy at the University of Exeter Business School delivering industry-led academic research, private consulting and executive education that supports business to improve the sustainability of their products and services within the fashion, FMCG, transport, consumer products, and electronics sectors. Key projects include: Circular Revolution – ERDF funded business outreach initiative for Welsh SMEs adopting circular innovation; Manufacturing Immortality – EPSRC consortium exploring the application opportunities and environmental implications of self-healing materials. Through her research and consulting, she has also co-authored industry facing service design and business innovation toolkits that embed circular thinking, such as the ‘Circular Business Model Design Guide’, ‘Creating Customer Experiences for a Circular Economy’ and ‘The Emotionally Durable Design Nine’ as part of her PhD with Philips Lighting. She is also a part of the Design Council Expert Network supporting the council with their design for planet mission.
Andrew Rough, Chief Executive Officer at ACS Clothing
For 25 years ACS have specialised in rental fulfilment and clothing renewal. Since launching in 1997, the business has evolved and expanded and our operations, expertise, and passion for what we do remains the same. After defining and perfecting innovative and scalable fulfilment solutions for the traditional men’s formal hire market, ACS expanded into new markets within the fashion industry and are proud to enable the shift towards access over ownership.
Andrew’s journey with ACS began in late 2009, and his leadership has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth. Under his guidance, ACS has evolved into the largest apparel resale, rental and renewal operation in the UK and successfully established its presence in the United States, culminating in a sale in August 2018. With a career spanning both financial and commercial roles in the industry, including positions with US-listed and UK private companies, Andrew brings a wealth of experience to the webinar. Prior to his time with ACS, Andrew was a Senior Manager with Arthur Andersen. Andrew qualified as a chartered accountant in 1995 after previously graduating from Edinburgh University with a BEng (Hons) Electrical & Mechanical Engineering in 1990.
Andrew’s financial acumen, combined with his extensive industry knowledge, makes him a valuable voice in the pursuit of sustainable and responsible practices within the fashion sector, sharing insights and perspectives on the evolving landscape of sustainable fashion and the critical role of innovative business models. His journey from engineering to apparel presents a unique blend of expertise that is sure to inspire.
