EDINBURGH – With just under a month to go until the fourth annual Natural Fibre Connect (NFC) Conference, set for 22-23 September 2025 at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, the event’s co-organisers are proud to unveil a dynamic programme featuring two keynote addresses from distinguished global leaders in the natural fibre industry.
The NFC 2025 speaker line-up reflects a powerful convergence of tradition, innovation, and global collaboration – all taking place in one of the world’s most historic textile cities.
Bringing together over 200 in-person participants from across the alpaca, cashmere, mohair, wool,
and other natural fibre sectors, NFC 2025 will foster deep dialogue across fibre production, policy,
circularity, animal welfare, and regenerative systems.
Keynote Speakers Set the Stage for a Landmark Event
Day 1 of the NFC Conference will be opened by Peter Ackroyd, chairman of Campaign for Wool, with a keynote that will set the tone for a transformative two days. A lifelong advocate for wool, Peter’s decades of leadership include steering the British Wool Textile Cooperative, advising The Woolmark Company, and serving as president of IWTO.
As chairman of the Campaign for Wool – a visionary initiative launched by its Patron, HM King Charles III – Peter continues to champion wool as a regenerative, biodegradable fibre that supports biodiversity, heritage, and rural livelihoods. His keynote will offer a bold call to action on the role of natural fibres in tackling climate challenges, uniting industries, and reigniting public and policy engagement.
On Day 2, Simon Cotton, chief executive of Macnaughton Holdings Limited, will reflect on Scotland’s
rich textile legacy and explore how heritage and innovation can drive future growth. Known for his
pioneering leadership in sustainable textiles, Simon brings valuable insight into how natural fibres can shape the future of fashion, culture, and economy in the UK and globally.
Agenda Highlights: Global Voices, National & International Impact
On Day 1, the Growers’ & Herders’ Perspective panel will bring together voices from across the natural fibre world. Jessica Rodríguez, president of the International Alpaca Association, will share a powerful cultural perspective on women’s roles in the alpaca fibre value chain, while Mr Ayongxi, vice president of the International Cooperation Committee for Animal Welfare (ICCAW), will represent Inner Mongolia’s cashmere herding communities and China’s advances in animal welfare. They will be joined by John Colley, chairman of AWN and long-time wool industry leader, who will provide the viewpoint of Australian wool growers, combining hands-on farming experience with decades of strategic leadership.
Directly following this session, supply chain integrity will be addressed in the Supply Chain
Transparency & Traceability panel. Co-founder of Textile Exchange and current senior advisor at the
Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA), LaRhea Pepper, who will also host the Day 1 plenary sessions
and provide the day’s Closing Remarks, will moderate this pivotal panel. Alongside LaRhea will be Elise Boileau, senior coordinator for Data Insight at ISEAL, who will share their expertise on how innovative data solutions and geospatial insights can help build more transparent, trustworthy, and accountable supply chains across the textile sector.
In the Policy & Legislation panel discussion, Romane Malysza of Textile Exchange, Emily Pompelia of
the Brunswick Group, and Baptiste Carriere-Pradal, co-founder of 2BPolicy, will unpack the latest EU
regulatory developments, fibre labelling reforms, and environmental compliance requirements,
providing NFC delegates with insights on how policies are shaping the future of natural fibres.
A standout plenary on Day 2 will be the Collaboration for Rangelands: Fashion for Land with the
Rangeland Stewardship Council (RSC) session, convened by the RSC and partners. This session will
spotlight how cross-sector collaboration – spanning policy, science, standards, and supply chains – can accelerate impact and deliver on global goals, such as Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). It will present the RSC’s strategic vision to establish a global benchmark for responsible rangeland management, while exploring how brands, retailers, and producers can transform sourcing models and incentive structures to reward land regeneration, animal welfare, and sustainable livelihoods.
With contributions from key RSC partners, UN agencies, research institutions, and industry leaders, the session will also highlight how collaboration between fashion and policy can translate local success stories into systemic change at scale. The RSC is supported by the Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the Global Environment Facility-funded STELARR (Sustainable Investments for Large-Scale Rangeland Restoration) Project, which is implemented by IUCN and executed by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and partners.
Consumer behaviour and ethics will be at the forefront in the Market Trends & Consumer Expectations panel, where Rebecaa Picallo Gil, animal welfare specialist in Textiles at FOUR PAWS, will explore how shifting consumer demands and greater awareness of animal welfare are influencing sourcing, production, and brand accountability.
Innovation takes centre stage at the end of Day 2 in the Decarbonising the Natural Fibre Sector: Innovations & Upcoming Initiatives session, where Kjersti Kviseth, Lifecycler at 2025design and co
founder of Sirkull AS, will present on circular design and wool recycling. Kjersti will be joined by Britt
Rinker, vice president of business operations at Number 8 Bio, who will share insights into
breakthrough livestock feed solutions that cut methane emissions while boosting productivity.
Adding to the discussion, Mariano Serratore, technical director at ICEA, will contribute both through a Day 1 breakout session on “ICEA #opensustainability – Towards an Integrated Model of Sustainability” and by returning on Day 2 to present a declaration from the global organic movement on advancing regenerative agriculture.
During the Day 1 breakout session, workshops and roundtables will provide a space for deeper exploration and dialogue. A highlight will be the Woolmark Workshop: Journey to Nature Positive, co hosted by Elisabeth van Delden, sustainability manager Europe at Woolmark, and Rebecca Kelley, product marketing manager Europe at Woolmark. This immersive session will connect NFC delegates directly with the story of Australian wool production and its ambitious path towards a nature-positive future. Drawing from the Woolmark Plus Roadmap and Woolmark Followship experience, the workshop will blend grower insights with product and processing innovations, practical tools such as natural capital accounting and carbon insetting, and guidance on how brands can take part in these
transformations.
This is just a glimpse of what’s in store at NFC 2025. To view the complete line-up of sessions, speakers and breakout events, visit the full conference schedule at naturalfibreconnect.com/schedule.
Immersive Programming & Unforgettable Post-Conference Experiences
In addition to engaging panels and workshops, NFC 2025 invites attendees to extend their journey
through a curated series of Mill Tours & Excursions from 24-26 September, each offering a deeper
connection to Scotland’s fibre heritage, land, and local communities.
On Wednesday, 24 September, delegates will visit Old Leckie Farm – A regenerative, family-run farm
west of Stirling, where participants will walk the land, meet the animals, and experience first-hand
how sustainable agriculture nourishes both food and fibre systems. A living example of land
stewardship, Old Leckie reflects the deep values of the natural fibre movement.
On Thursday, 25 September, the journey continues with a visit to Lochcarron of Scotland – The world’s
leading tartan manufacturer, Lochcarron continues to honour Scottish identity through textile
excellence. Delegates will experience the intricate weaving process and discover how traditional
craftsmanship is woven into every thread.
On Friday, 26 September, the NFC 2025 event will wrap up with a cultural experience including The Great Tapestry of Scotland – One of the world’s largest community art projects. This hand-stitched masterpiece comprises 160 panels, crafted by over 1,000 people, and tells the story of Scotland’s history, creativity, and cultural spirit. The visit offers a moving conclusion to NFC 2025, highlighting the enduring power of textiles to unite and inspire.
Each stop on the tour is more than a visit – it’s a story. From the resilience of herders and pastoralists to the artistry of master weavers, these experiences invite participants to reconnect with the origins, meaning, and future of natural fibres.
Secure Your Place at NFC 2025
Spaces for the conference, workshops, and excursions are limited and in high demand. Tickets can be purchased now via naturalfibreconnect.com. For media inquiries or speaker and sponsorship opportunities, please contact marketing@sustainablefibre.org.
