Kate Hills, founder of Make it British. © Make it British

This year’s Make it British Live! will explore the future of the industry, tackling the hot topics of fast or slow fashion and craftsmanship versus technology. Since its launch six years ago, Make it British Live! has evolved into a trade event that delivers a single source of ideas, solutions and enthusiasm to encourage more people to buy British and make in the UK, says Kate Hills, founder of Make it British. “We’re in challenging but exciting times. In this fast-moving sector, with new products, trends and innovations emerging each year, collaboration is the key to success.”

Taking place at the iconic Business Design Centre in London from 29-30 May, this year’s conference programme includes an inspiring line up of speakers.

Keynote speaker on day one, Hareesh Kallambella, Senior Production Manager at Burberry, will provide insight into the factory of the future is the future of the factory. Tom Glover, Managing Director at Peregrine Clothing, will be the keynote speaker on day two, sharing the success story of this great British heritage clothing company. They will be joined on stage by industry heavyweights including Andy Ogden, Director and General Manager at English Fine Cottons, and Nick Keyte, Managing Director at Gieves and Hawkes.

Lucy Siegle, environmental journalist and broadcaster, is back for a second year to chair the conference. Her specialism in ecological and ethical lifestyle matters make her the perfect choice to host the panel discussions, which include fast or slow fashion – which does the UK do best?, with panellists including Julia Redman, Head of buying at M&Co and designer Phoebe English.

This year, Make it British Live! expects to welcome well over 200 exhibitors from across the fashion and homeware sectors. © Make it British

Brant Richard and Ed Oxley, both founders and Directors at HebTroCo, will be sharing their inspiring story of how to make a million in Brexit Britain, along with Paul Alger, Director of international affairs at UKFT, tackling the issues around export, and designer Tori Murphy sharing her experience on how to get noticed by high-end retailers.

Event sponsors and leading patent and trade mark attorneys Potter Clarkson will be taking to the stage to share their expertise on are we facing an uncertain future for intellectual property rights post Brexit?

Make it British Live! began in 2014 and was originally called Meet the Manufacturer. In 2018 it changed its name to Make it British Live! to more closely align the event with the Make it British website and to reflect its mission to encourage more businesses to make in Britain.

The first trade show took place in a small warehouse at The Old Truman Brewery in East London with just 56 exhibitors. This year, Make it British Live! expects to welcome well over 200 exhibitors from across the fashion and homeware sectors.

www.makeitbritishlive.com