Chief Commercial and Development Officer at GQ Group, Thailand

George Hartel is Chief Commercial and Development Officer at GQ Group, Thailand’s leading omnichannel tech menswear brand, which has evolved from a 60-year-old family business into the country’s top-selling menswear label.

With a strong background in strategy and brand transformation, George has led initiatives in innovation, e-commerce development, retail expansion, market entry, and viral marketing. He co-founded Fighting Giants, an innovation and culture transformation community uniting 150+ senior executives and business leaders. Previously, he served as Managing Director for Asia at Newell Brands, the world’s largest consumer durable company with over 100 leading brands.

George champions differentiation and innovation, inspiring teams to think beyond traditional models and deliver a “Wow” at every consumer touch-point.

Co-Founder of Fashion Revolution and League of Artisans

Carry Somers is a visionary changemaker and co-founder of Fashion Revolution, the world’s largest fashion activism movement driving transparency, fairness, and sustainability. With an MA in Native American Studies, she has supported Indigenous communities for over three decades, embedding their values into her work. She founded Pachacuti, an award-winning Fair Trade brand, and co-founded the League of Artisans to champion artisanal skills globally.

Recognised in the BoF 500 as one of fashion’s most influential figures, Carry has sailed 2,000 miles researching ocean plastic, co-created a textile garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters and a 2023 Churchill Fellowship. A sought-after speaker, she has addressed audiences worldwide, from The Economist Impact Summit to Latin America’s largest design festival, with insights featured on BBC, NPR, Vogue, Vanity Fair, and the Financial Times.

Europe Board Regional Representative at World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO)

Caterina is an ESG and Sustainability Advisor in luxury and fashion, working with brands such as Maison Alaïa, Chloé, and Aspesi, and supporting Chloé’s B-Corp certification, the first for a luxury house. With a background in Geopolitics and International Relations, she has over 15 years’ experience as an EU and UN Development Aid Manager, advising initiatives including the UN Ethical Fashion Initiative and UN social enterprise programs for the Mediterranean. She currently serves as ESG Advisor to UNIDO and Partnership Coordinator for UNHCR’s Made51.

A social entrepreneur, Caterina founded SeeMe, employing women survivors of violence, and EthicaRei, the first certified ethical supplier network for fashion. A frequent speaker at global forums such as the Condé Nast Luxury Conference and Social Enterprise World Forum, she also sits on the Global Board of Directors of WFTO and contributes to BoF, Harper’s Bazaar NL, and Vogue Italia.

Global Board Member (Independent) at World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO)

As CEO of El Puente, Jette leads a Business committed to advancing Fair Trade practices and changing the rules of the economy. She also serves on the board of Forum Fairer Handel, advocating for Fair Trade and alternative business models in Germany.

Previously, Jette was the Partnerships Manager at the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), where she forged key partnerships and expanded global market opportunities for Fair Trade enterprises. Her earlier experience with TradeAid in New Zealand focused on product development and sales, giving her valuable insight into Fair Trade operations.

Brand Marketing Professional

Iftekhar Mallick is a seasoned marketing professional from Dhaka, with leadership roles in fashion and footwear across South and Southeast Asia. With over a decade of experience in brand-building, he has worked closely with global firms like McKinsey, WGSN, Ipsos, DDB, and Dentsu. Known for his ability to adapt brand messaging across culturally diverse markets, Iftekhar has been recognized as a global marketing talent. He was a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Bata and now serves as General Manager at Beximco. He has attended major fashion weeks in Jakarta, Delhi, Dubai, Milan, and Paris staying closely attuned to emerging trends and innovations shaping the global fashion industry. A trained design thinker, Iftekhar brings a unique blend of strategic insight and creative sensibility to the table.

Co-Founder and CEO of IGC Fashion

Katende Godfrey is a fashion designer based in Uganda, blending inspiration from ancient African fashion with modern and futuristic design. Rooted in African tradition, heritage, and culture, his use of natural and indigenous materials reflects a deep commitment to both cultural preservation and sustainable fashion practices.

Dedicated to empowering local communities, Katende provides free education, mentorship, and inspiration in Kampala. His work aligns with the decolonisation movement in Africa, advocating for the reclamation of cultural identity through fashion. Through his “Kwetu Kwanza” campaign, he champions sustainable and ethical fashion, positioning fashion as both an artistic expression and a tool for social change.

Senior Lecturer, Fashion Management with Marketing

Emma has been with Solent University since 2008, teaching across fashion branding, marketing, business, innovation, buying, and brand management. She graduated with a BA (Hons) in Fashion from Southampton and an MA in International Fashion and Textiles with Marketing in 2010, studying at Institut Français de la Mode, Paris, and the Hoog School Ver De Kunsten, Netherlands, supported by a Textile Institute scholarship.

Before academia, Emma spent 10 years in the UK fashion sector, working in buying and production for UK and Japanese brands across menswear, womenswear, and childrenswear. She has collaborated with Central Saint Martins and the London College of Fashion, and serves as an External Examiner for Nottingham Trent, Cardiff Metropolitan, and has held roles with Manchester Metropolitan, Pearl Academy India, and Istituto Marangoni. Recognised by students, she was nominated for Solent staff awards in 2016 and 2020.