
Stephen Russell, Director
Steve is Professor of Textile Materials and Technology in the School of Design at the University of Leeds. His main areas of expertise are in textile engineering, textile design and manufacture. In addition to academic research, he has nearly fifteen years product development and Company Director experience in the textile industry. More info.
Suzy Shepherd, Co-Director
Suzy’s expertise is in fashion, retail and marketing. She is a founder and Director of Leeds Fashion Works and also Yorkshire Textiles Ltd. She is passionate about the imbued excellence, the quality of the products and specialist skills that have led to the utilisation of Yorkshire’s textiles by global brands. More info.


Parikshit Goswami, Co-Investigator
Parik is Professor of Technical Textiles at the University of Huddersfield. His domains of research are product development using flexible materials and application of chemistry for functionalising textiles. He manages a large profile of research concerned with fibre/polymer science, nonwovens, medical textiles, sustainable materials, nano/submicron fibres, and plasma treatment for functionalising textiles and textile chemistry. More info
Susan Postlethwaite, Co-Investigator
Susan is Senior Tutor (Research) in Fashion at the Royal College of Art. She trained at Central St Martins School of Art and has taught extensively at institutions including Central St Martins and the London College of Fashion. She has also curated a number of fashion exhibitions and worked at several well-known fashion houses.


Kevin Almond, Co-Investigator
Kevin is Lecturer in Fashion Design at the University of Leeds. He has held various appointments in the fashion industry and academia, with research interests including creative pattern cutting, clothing/fashion dichotomies, sculptural thinking in fashion, and fashion as masquerade. More info
Sue Rainton, Programme Manager
Sue joined the Future Fashion Factory at the beginning of January 2019 and brings a wealth of project / programme management experience to the team. She has worked variously within Local Government, Regional Agencies, the Higher Education Sector and SMEs, this background giving her a broad understanding of the needs and drivers of FFF partners.


Sarah Parkin, Communications & Digital Engagement Officer
Sarah joined Future Fashion Factory in February 2019. As well as maintaining the programme’s web, email and social media presence, she also handles events, membership and media enquiries. Contact Sarah
Laura Hartley, Project Assistant
Laura joined Future Fashion Factory in April 2019. She supports the administration of the Programme, as well as our workshop and events programme.
