JATC is very pleased to announce the first in a series of in-person “pow wow” sessions with our guest speakers, Simon Platts and Katherine O’Driscoll, who bring extensive expertise in independent consulting for brands, retailers , educators and the fashion industry. a set. Their mission is to empower these entities to improve purchasing and procurement practices, ultimately leading to improvements in quality, profitability, agility and value proposition. They specialize in minimizing negative impacts on people and the planet, helping companies meet their environmental, social and legal commitments. Notably, our speakers are recognized contributors to government agency and NGO policies on sustainability and ethical trade.
The session will take place on Monday 17th July at Just Around the Corner SS24, Tobacco Dock, Wapping, London from 3.30pm to 4.30pm at The Courtyard. Tuesday will follow with Kathy accessible to all on a dedicated stand where visitors can talk to her on site and will be positioned in the Grande Galerie for a “drop in” from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Juls Dawson, MD of JATC said of the new addition to the event “bringing Kathy and Simon with them is a coup for JATC as they are leaders in their fields and have spearheaded the adoption of sustainable and ethical practices at several leading UK retailers.Their careers span decades and leading retailers including Next, ASOS, The Very Group, Blacks, N Brown Group, JD Sports and Republic. They and the team at JATC want to pass on some of this knowledge to the industry as a whole, as this is the most important element of any credible fashion business, no matter how small, both now and in the years to come.
Pre-register for your free ticket to attend the show now!
About Simon Platts and Kathy O’Driscoll
Simon Platts and Kathy O’Driscoll established SP&KO Limited in March 2023 when Simon left ASOS after 10 years as Director of Responsible Sourcing and Commercial ESG.
They provide independent advice focused on supporting brands, retailers, educators and the fashion industry as a whole. Enabling them to deliver better buying and sourcing methods to improve quality, profitability, agility and proposition, reduce negative impacts on people and planet, and meet environmental, social and legal commitments. Both contribute to government and NGO policies on sustainability and ethical trade.
At ASOS, Simon oversaw the own brand sourcing, packaging, ethical trade, product sustainability program and third party brand engagement functions. He also led the team that developed and implemented Asos’ Fashion with Integrity initiative.
Kathy acted as a consultant for ASOS with Simon before becoming a consultant for the N Brown Group, defining its five-year sustainability strategy. She has also worked for UKFT, IBM and universities in designing a “digital sustainable supply chain platform” providing transparency all the way to fiber source using AI. She has also helped several start-ups, charities and universities in their procurement and sustainability efforts.
Both Simon and Kathy started at Next in the 1980s, from the workshop floor to the creation of the Directory, they worked their way up through the ranks at Next in purchasing and merchandising management. Simon was also responsible for sourcing, setting up the UK arm of Next’s global sourcing operation. Each went through other companies before coming together at ASOS.
Simon was responsible for brand and own brand buying for outdoor specialty retailers Blacks and Millets. Previously, he spent 10 years as Director/Partner at Lazzati UK, a multi-regional supplier of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and footwear to UK retailers and brands, where he led the product development and supply.
Kathy was head of buying and operations at JD Sports, The Very Group, Republic and others before returning to Next in 2003, bringing Brands into Next.
Simon also recently took on the role of co-founding CEO of Recomme, a company focused on providing tools and support to retailers and brands that enable the recovery of old clothing and shoes. Recommend then recycle, upcycle and turn them into new products.
Outside of work, Simon, born in Sheffield, lives with his family in Leicestershire and pursues his passions for outdoor activities, the environment, nature and conservation. Kathy has returned to her home town of Leicester where she designs and makes clothes and enjoys the countryside.
Below is a taste of the brands on display so far and many more to come.
Anonymous, b.young, Beaumont Organic, Bibico, Cachet, Campo Marzio, Cartago, Closet London, Coral & Mint, Costamani, Crep Protect, Devils Advocate, eb&ive, Ed Hardy, Face Junkie, Fika, Fila, Fransa, FYG, Gemsa , Grendha, Guess, Harper and Lewis, Haven, ICHI, Ipanema, Komodo, Louche, Marshall Artist, Milly Grace, Mitchell and Ness, NICCE, Nine West, NÜ Denmark, NÜMPH, Outerknown, Pretty Vacant, Pulz, Religion (Men) , Religion (Women), Remus Uomo, Rider, Saint Tropez, Scholl, Scottish Fine Soaps, Sergio Tacchini, Simply Organic Beauty, Sixton London, Soaked in Luxury, Sorbet, Sugarhill Brighton, Toolally, Zaxy.
The UK’s only modern fashion and lifestyle trade show, JATC, will take place from 16-18 July 2023. This industry-led event will take place at the unique Tobacco Dock in east London , specifically at Tobacco Quay, Wapping Lane, London E1W 2SF.