Fabric

The Focus Topic Panel

PERFORMANCE DAYS, Munich

Expert Talks Stage @ Hall C4

Wednesday 05th March 2025

11:40 - 12:40 CET

Get the inside scoop at PERFORMANCE DAYS! An incisive keynote from Charles Ross kicks off the debate, challenging perspectives on certification. Then a powerful panel - three top experts with a wealth of experience - dives deep into what really matters. Don't miss it!

About the orators

Julie Gretton

Sustainability at W. L. Gore

Julie leads Supply Chain Sustainability for Gore Fabrics.  Responsible for shaping and implementing sustainability strategy across Gore’s own manufacturing plants and with upstream suppliers.  Julie actively works across the whole value chain, collaborating with brand partners and upstream suppliers to drive progress in topics such as carbon reduction, environmental management and human rights due diligence.  Julie has worked in the Outdoor Sports industry for over 25 years, with leadership roles in materials development and innovation.  She is trained as a textile engineer and holds a PhD in this field from the University of Leeds.

Mr René Bethmann

Industry Expert

René is an innovation and sustainability executive with more than 20 years of experience in the sportswear and outdoor industry, working at the intersection of textiles, chemicals, manufacturing and policy. He specialises in sustainable materials, circular textile systems and renewable carbon strategies, with a strong track record of translating long-term sustainability ambitions into material strategies, innovation portfolios and scalable solutions.
 
Throughout his career, including more than a decade in senior innovation and materials leadership roles at VAUDE, he has led cross-functional innovation initiatives, built strategic industry and research partnerships, and advanced the transition from fossil-dependent value chains towards circular and renewable material systems. His work combines deep technical expertise with strategic leadership and an understanding of the commercial, regulatory and organisational conditions required to scale innovation.
 
René is also an international speaker and advisor on circular economy, bioeconomy, material innovation, renewable carbon and EU sustainability regulation.

 

Mr Stewart Sheppard

S2 consulting

Stewart brings an extensive background developing and implementing sustainability programmes within the apparel & footwear industry both at Worldly and at the SAC, while working for WL Gore on sustainable products & innovation, as an independent consultant working on sustainability topics in ski resorts, and as an LCA practitioner for outdoor sports brands.

He is committed to enabling the apparel and footwear industry to address critical challenges in reporting, disclosure, and environmental impact reduction. He played a key role in shaping industry frameworks, including the EU PEF, France’s footwear durability labeling, and the Higg MSI. An experienced facilitator and product innovator, he has led cross-sector collaboration with multiple stakeholders and delivered high-impact sustainability initiatives at Gore-Tex.

In his spare time, Stewart is a level III PSIA certified ski instructor and enjoys freeride skiing, open water swimming and surfing. He is also the father of a 10 year-old boy & and 7 year-old girl.

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