Make it British and Fashion Roundtable host industry roundtable with Baroness Jane Bonham-Carter and the Liberal Democrat Creative Network on the impacts of Brexit on the fashion sector

image of Kate Hills and Tamara Cincik in the House of Lords.

Topic: How Brexit has impacted the British fashion sector and what we can do about it

House of Lords, London, 31st January 2024  // PRESS RELEASE

On the 31st January 2024, Fashion Roundtable along with Make it British, hosted an industry-focused roundtable discussion with Baroness Jane Bonham-Carter – the Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson for Culture Media and Sport, as well as the Liberal Democrat Creative Network and the Liberal Democrat DCMS Parliamentary Group. 

Chaired by Fashion Roundtable’s CEO, Tamara Cincik, as well as Charles Brand, the Chair of the Liberal Democrat Creative Network, those who gave evidence at the roundtable included Kate Hills – CEO of Make it British; John Horner – CEO of Models 1 and the Chair of the British Fashion Model Agents Association (BFMA); Sylvie Freund Pickavance – Global Strategy and Business Development Director, Value Retail; Alexander Wills – Founder of Maake; Zowie Broach – Head of Programme, MA Fashion at the Royal College of Art; Paul Alger – Director of International Affairs at UK Fashion & Textile Association; Rachel Walker – Founder of Luxury Lockstitch. 

The purpose of the roundtable was to discuss the main challenges that post-Brexit agreements were posing to the British fashion sector, providing an opportunity for the top-line issues of Brexit to be heard. 

With the majority of the UK manufacturing sector made up of SMEs, the roundtable heard that Brexit has compounded a skills shortage. Issues of freedom of movement in both goods as well as talent as well as a massive impact to the luxury sector, tourism and hospitality due to the removal of the UK VAT Retail Scheme. 

Tamara Cincik, CEO, Fashion Roundtable said: 

“The impacts of Brexit have always been well understood by the fashion industry, who since Fashion Roundtable’s inception, have consistently told us the issues they face and the impacts this is having on the sector, from the loss of reputation, to the severity of the delays and cost of red tape, as well as unilateral decisions by the UK Government to end the lucrative VAT Retail Export Scheme, which Sylvie Freund-Pickavance cited could generate £10bn in terms of sales, hospitality and tourism for the UK economy and rebuild the UK’s reputation, as Paris not London is now the number 1 tourist destination of choice within Europe, impacting sales, spend and jobs.”

Kate Hills – CEO of Make it British said: 

“UK garment and textile manufacturing is made up of thousands of micro businesses, and these roundtables are essential to get the voices of those businesses heard."

Baroness Jane Bonham-Carter the Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson for Culture Media and Sport said:

“Yesterday’s presentation of the serious issues facing the Fashion Industry highlighted not only the self-inflicted damage caused by post Brexit regulations but also a serious growing skills shortage. The Liberal Democrats will redouble efforts to highlight ways that the Government could undo some of the damage done.”

Charles Brand, the Chair of the Liberal Democrat Creative Network said: 

“Yesterday’s briefing meeting organised by the Fashion Roundtable and Make It British, laid out the shocking damage done by post Brexit regulations and the associated skills shortages to what was until recently a world beating expanding industry. We will work to publicise the need for Government to urgently focus on coming up with solutions.” 

Notes to Editors:

Baroness Jane Bonham-Carter is the Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson for Culture Media and Sport. 

The Liberal Democrat Creative Network is the forum for people who work in or support the creative industries.

Fashion Roundtable is the only think tank dedicated to reimagining a creative and responsible fashion industry. 

Make it British is a membership organisation, supporting UK brands. Founded by UK manufacturing expert Kate Hills. 

For more information please contact:

Meg Pirie, Fashion Roundtable’s Content Editor – meg.pirie@fashionroundtable.co.uk  

PRESS RELEASE: Fashion Roundtable To Host a Roundtable at Push PR 13/12 3.30pm -5.30pm. It's Time To Talk The Fashion Industry and Brexit

For an industry, which conservative estimates say voted 95% Remain, the need for dialogue around Brexit and the potential impacts to the fashion sector are clear.

A sector based on global trade and talent, with creative exchange and international travel at the heart of it's business model: how does it survive and indeed thrive through the upcoming UK and EU trade deals, as they begin in earnest next month in Brussels?

The UK fashion industry is founded on Heritage brands: from Charles Worth, to Barbour, launching digital global leaders: from Net-a-porter to Asos and world class designers and innovators: from Phoebe Philo, to Phoebe English.

How do we maintain that international reputation and continue to excel once the UK leaves the EU? Where are our opportunities for growth and on-going recognition?

What more can we do to achieve UK fashion excellence across bricks and mortar retail, online platforms, regionally and into which global markets?

These challenges and questions will be a part of the conversation of the first Fashion Roundtable tomorrow, since our recent launch.

Confirmed speakers are:

Nick Vinson writer, editor and creative consultant and in whose monthly Wallpaper*magazine column has written on Brexit and will share his concerns for the fashion industry and design sector: from SME, to global businesses.

Jack Karet from DCMS will present on where DCMS have been working hard on Brexit strategy.

Derin Adebiyi from ISM will present on #freemovecreate which Fashion Roundtable have joined and are supporting and will explain what this is about to support the creative sector and fashion industry though Brexit visa policy lobbying.

Jack Tindale from Policy Connect will present on the work of the Design and Innovation APPG and how that can link in with fashion industry strategy for Brexit and business.

Kate Wicklow Senior Policy Advisor for Guildford HE will present on the unintended consequences of the Ebacc in our education exam system and make the case for the need for STEAM not STEM education, for our post Brexit workforce and fashion talents

Confirmed Attendees Include:

Nick Vinson, Sarah Mower MBE, Katharine Hamnett CBE, The Design Council, The Right Project, Richard Malone, Karen Binns, Bev Malik, Valery Demure, LCF, BEIS, Black Neon Digital,

Tamara Cincik: Founder and CEO of Fashion Roundtable says: " I am excited to join the dots between policy makers and fashion industry visionaries, I have made in my work across both the political and fashion sectors. This first roundtable, as well as our next London one on 17/01/18, will offer us a key opportunity to make insightful recommendations to Government, while the UK enters the key trade deals next month, which we hope will benefit the fashion industry for sustained and long-term growth."

Ends.

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