Focus Topic Panel

Adam Gardiner is the Recycled Lead at Textile Exchange and oversees the delivery of the Textile Exchange’s Climate+ strategy with regards to recycled materials. His work focuses on leading recyclers and the industry to transition to textile-to-textile recycling. This is a key focus area for Textile Exchange and his work looks at how synthetic, natural material and MMCF producers can be supported in this transition.

Katy has 20 years’ experience working in the outdoor industry in a variety of roles including research, product development, and sustainability. She has a BSc in Materials Science and a PhD in Technical Textiles. She has worked with the European Outdoor Group for 8 years, and in her current role as Head of CSR and Sustainability she facilitates and encourages brands to increase industry action to bring environmental and ethical considerations to the complex challenges of the textile supply chain.

Shivam Gusain is a dyestuff chemist and water engineer working at the intersection of textile chemistry, sustainability, and systems innovation. He advises brands, manufacturers, and innovators on supply chain decarbonisation, next-gen materials, and circularity, focusing on the messy spaces where sustainability goals meet operational complexity. Much of his work is about cutting through uncertainty to identify leverage points where meaningful change is possible and building momentum from there. Through his platform Decypher, Shivam develops rigorous frameworks that challenge oversimplified narratives and push the industry toward systemic solutions.

Simon has extensive international experience growing new business in sustainable fibres, technical textiles and performance apparel. Having worked for global brands, retailers and manufacturers, Simon’s background includes building brands and aligning teams across cultures in dynamic markets, and supporting supply chain transformation through the textiles value system. Simon currently leads sustainability for Hyosung, the world’s largest elastane manufacturer by market share, who recently announced a $1bn investment in upgrading their Vietnam facility to produce bio-based elastane derived from sugarcane.