The Apparel and Textile Manufacturers Federation (ATMF) is delighted to confirm major progress on the development of the new In Factories We Trust website — a bold initiative designed to help re-establish the UK as a global centre of textile and garment excellence.
In October 2025, the ATMF secured funding from the Garment & Textile Workers Trust (GTWT) and entered into a strategic partnership with De Montfort University, Fashion-Enter Ltd, Fashion Roundtable and Katherine O’Driscoll from consultancy agency SP&KO.
At a time when the UK textile and garment sector faces major economic and global challenges, the initiative has one clear ambition: to rebuild confidence in British manufacturing and position the UK as a world leader in ethical, sustainable and innovative textile production.
Independent Funding and Governance
The ATMF wishes to clarify that the GTWT was established five years ago with the benefit of initial grant funding provided by Boohoo. However, following this original funding, Boohoo has had no involvement in the Trust’s governance, operations, strategic direction or day-to-day activities.
The Trust operates independently and has no obligation to report to Boohoo in any capacity.
The GTWT is led entirely by its independent trustees, whose current programme focuses on promoting pride in British-made manufacturing and supporting a UK-first approach to public uniform procurement.
Any survey or research work commissioned by the Trust’s consultants is undertaken solely on behalf of the Trust, with all findings shared exclusively with trustees to support independent policy development and strategic work.
The ATMF also recognises the importance of the Trust’s support, acknowledging that without this funding the programme would not have been possible.
Building Confidence in UK Manufacturing
The In Factories We Trust programme is focused on creating a recognised emblem and trusted industry standard that will give confidence to both brands and government procurement agencies when working with UK garment and textile manufacturers.
Extensive market research is currently underway to ensure the new website is fit for purpose and capable of supporting the future growth of the British textile sector.
The initiative will champion:
- Ethical production
- Environmental sustainability
- Technical innovation
- Heritage British craftsmanship
- Safe and transparent working conditions
- Low-carbon manufacturing
The new website is currently being designed, tested and piloted by SWOF Media in collaboration with project partners and industry stakeholders.
Supporting a UK-First Procurement Strategy
The wider initiative aims to strengthen the UK textile industry, create skilled jobs and build a compelling economic and public case for sourcing more garments, PPE and uniforms from British manufacturers.
This directly supports the Chancellor’s call to “make, sell and buy more in Britain.”
After decades of decline driven by lower-cost overseas sourcing, the UK garment industry is now at a turning point. Rising tariffs, geopolitical instability and increasing demand for transparent and sustainable supply chains are encouraging brands and institutions to reconsider long and fragile international sourcing models.
Kevin McKeever, Chair of the Trust, commented:
“The Trust was created to safeguard workers and strengthen the foundations of our sector, and this new national strategy is a natural extension of that mission.”
He added that backing the website and supporting a UK-first public procurement campaign represents an investment in people, skills and a fairer future for British manufacturing.
Jenny Holloway, Chair of the ATMF, said:
“There is a real opportunity for the UK to reclaim its place as a world leader in textiles — not by being the cheapest, but by being the most ethical, sustainable and reliable.”
Jenny continued:
“We are developing this new website to be a trusted critical friend to brands and government procurement agencies.”
Setting New Standards for British Textile Production
The In Factories We Trust platform will recognise the very best of UK textile production by setting standards across four key areas:
- Ethical and safe working conditions
- Environmental sustainability and low-carbon manufacturing
- Technical innovation
- Quality, durability and craftsmanship
Pilot programmes will be conducted with a representative range of UK mills, factories and workshops, alongside major retailers, to validate the website, assess commercial viability and demonstrate real-world impact.
Building the Economic and Political Case for UK Manufacturing
A major objective of the programme is to develop a robust economic and political case for expanding UK-based textile and garment production.
This includes:
- Detailed modelling of employment, economic and social impacts
- Costed implementation plans for industry adoption
- Recommendations for government policy support and targeted incentives
A central focus will be advocating for a UK-first approach to public-sector uniform procurement, including for the NHS, Armed Forces, police and emergency services — organisations that collectively purchase millions of garments each year.
Jenny Holloway added:
“Public procurement can be a powerful engine for job creation and industrial renewal. Every pound spent on UK-made uniforms supports skilled employment, strengthens local economies and builds supply chain resilience.”
The initiative also aligns closely with national priorities around net zero, regional levelling-up, industrial resilience and ethical supply chains.
Positive Momentum Across the Sector
The ATMF is pleased to report that meaningful progress is already being made.
One leading retailer has approached the ATMF with plans to meet a broad cross-section of Leicester factories in mid-June. In addition, the ATMF has submitted a £60 million consortium bid to the Home Office on behalf of UK manufacturers.
Following the success of the Leicester Made & Regions event in April 2026, the programme is now expanding nationally, with Manchester and surrounding regions set to host the first stage of a new national roadshow in October 2026.
The ATMF believes this momentum demonstrates growing confidence in British manufacturing and the future potential of the UK textile and garment industry.