Nick Beighton to headline Source Fashion speaker programme

Nick Beighton is to head the keynote speaker list at next month’s Source Fashion trade show at London Olympia (14-16 July).

The ex-CEO of ASOS and Matches, rated as “one of the most powerful and successful people in British retail” by show director Suzanne Ellingham, will be on stage in conversation with fashion activist Caryn Franklin on Monday afternoon (15 July, 12:15).

Franklin will discuss Beighton’s time at ASOS, his thoughts on the future of fast fashion, and how to retain fashion integrity while enabling sustainable and ethical practices across your brand. 

“It’s going to be a very powerful session which underpins so many of our other seminars from other leading voices in the industry on the future of ethical fashion,” added Ellingham.

Meanwhile, Monday’s (1:30pm) presentation sees Next’s Group Head of Sustainability, CR and Product Legislation, Jo Mourant, in discussion with Lauretta Roberts outlining “tangible ways Next is assessing and combatting some of their biggest sustainability challenges, and addressing how best to incorporate collaborative ways of working for a more aligned, ethical, sustainable strategy”.

Earlier (11.45am), Mike Coates, spokesman for the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will present the body’s open letter to all businesses in the fashion retail sector, “highlighting the need to consider obligations under consumer protection law when making environmental claims”. 

The letter draws attention to the CMA’s ‘Green Claims Code’ guidance and emphasises that promoting environmental sustainability remains a priority for the body. 

Fast forward to 2:30pm, and Hayley Shore, Design Director at PepsiCo delivers ‘A big brand approach to sustainable fashion’. Shore will discuss the drinks giant’s “commitment to reducing the environmental impact across its products and merchandise, collaborating with sustainable designers, what fashion can learn from big brands, and vice versa”.

Also, Sunday’s (14 July) keynote is from fashion futurist Geraldine Wharry who “unpacks the future of the fashion industry’s infrastructure and challenges what the future may look like by exploring key macro trends and their impact for fashion brands and retailers”.