Meet the Committee

Dr Joanne Horton

Chair
chair@textilesociety.org.uk

Jo’s background is in Textile Design, Surface Design and Mixed Media Textiles, leading Programmes and Pathways at Undergraduate level, teaching at Masters Level and supervising to PhD research. Jo has been an External Examiner at Undergraduate and Masters level with internal examination experience at PhD. Her own PhD was a practice led examination of metallisation using electrochemistry spanning craft, science and textile design. This led to her post-doctoral appointment at Royal Museums Greenwich, and Jo’s most recent work is researching and writing on the material culture of women’s military uniform, specifically the Royal Navy.

“With the support of the Trustees I believe I can build on the fantastic work of the outgoing Chair and the Trustees.”

Holly Walker

Vice Chair and Publicity Officer
vicechair@textilesociety.org.uk

publicity@textilesociety.org.uk

Holly’s interests in textiles are very broad, mirroring the Society's unique position in the field. Having studied printed textiles herself, Holly is committed to advocating the study of textiles. Not being confined to one aspect of the industry, she champions textiles in all its forms.

"I believe the Society offers unrivalled opportunities to connect, share ideas and spark discussion across the field of textiles. I would love to help the Textile Society continue to foster these human connections. I am committed to building upon the foundations of the Society, growing and engaging our membership and strengthening the Society’s financial position to ensure its sustainable future."

Dr Frances Casey

Secretary
secretary@textilesociety.org.uk

As an experienced project manager, heritage researcher and museum curator with a background in community engagement, Frances is interested in historical textile narratives relevant to both academic and public audiences.

"In my commitment to volunteer management, I have contributed to charity governance, organisation, administration and communication with members."

Sally Laker

Treasurer and Membership Secretary
membership@textilesociety.org.uk

Sally’s background is in accountancy and business. She has 35 years of experience in industry, where she extended her skills in internal controls and procedures. Later she developed a career in teaching, specialising in adult literacy and mathematics for students and sixth formers.

"After 11 years in the teaching profession I remember why I took the opportunity to change career: to concentrate on education."

Suzanne Smith

Awards Representative
awardsrep@textilesociety.org.uk
Museum, Archive and Conservation Award
museumaward@textilesociety.org.uk

Suzanne has over 20 years’ experience of working in the museum and heritage sector. She is a recognised expert in storage and care of textile-based collections having managed the national collection for eight years. She is now working in a consultative role.

"I remain dedicated to opening up textile and fashion collections to as wide and as diverse an audience as possible, and believe wholeheartedly that ‘all of this belongs to you’!"

Jennifer Shellard

Professional Development Award
pda@textilesociety.org.uk

Jennifer has experience as a Senior Lecturer in higher education and as an External Examiner. She works as an Associate Lecturer on BA and MA textile courses while continuing her own practice and exhibiting internationally. Jennifer has made a number of successful applications for practice-based research which have given her insight into the preparation, framing and articulation of research proposals.

"In 2019 I received the Textile Society’s Professional Development Award for a jacquard weave residency. I appreciated the tremendous value of how such an award provides a stimulus to creativity and imagination and enables professional practice and research to expand."

Dr Beverly Ayling-Smith

Student Bursaries
bursaries@textilesociety.org.uk

Beverly has undertaken an MA and PhD in stitched textiles. Her practice focuses on continued research into the materialisation of loss in cloth, and some elements of her doctoral research have been published in peer reviewed journals.

"Having taught at MA and been a PhD supervisor, and mentored students in the UK and internationally, I am familiar with assessing student proposals and final collections."

Pat Frost

Text and News Editor
text@textilesociety.org.uk
newsletter@textilesociety.org.uk

Pat has almost 30 years’ experience of working in the Fashion and Textile Department of an international auction house, with special responsibility for European, Islamic, Indian and Asian textiles and Fashion sales. Now Pat is an independent consultant in the field.

"In my second term as Editor of the Textile Society publications I hope to widen the topics covered and increase contributions from the membership, both in the form of articles and support for the production of the newsletter and journal. There is so much still to be written and photographed on our shared field of interest!"

Clare Bungey

Text and News Production Editor
publications@textilesociety.org.uk

Since completing her degree in Printed Textiles, Clare has developed an extensive career in textile publishing, marketing and communications. Now she specialises in organising and curating textile events and workshops in the UK and internationally.

"I have had a life-long love of textiles, and have been pleased to collaborate with wonderful textile artists, designers and historians from all over the world."

Desiree Jeans

Website Editor
webmaster@textilesociety.org.uk

Desiree’s experience lies in business development and events programming to encourage engagement with museum collections and exhibitions. Her current interests lie in podcasts, and the crossover between public speaking, social media and online content.

"My creative practice focuses on sculptural hand knitting. The process used to create is crucial, with the act of handcrafting being key. Future aspirations include doctoral research in the use of hand knitting as a grief management tool."

Professor Emerita Lesley Millar MBE

Conferences and Symposia team member

During her long career in higher education and ground-breaking international textile research, Lesley has organised many international exhibitions, conferences and symposia.

"My role as a weaver, curator and academic has been to find ways in which contemporary textile practice is placed at the centre of current art and craft discourse, and I would like to offer this experience to the Textile Society."

Roselind Sinclair MBE

Publications team member

Roselind has worked across a range of disciplines that engage with the traditional and digital in textile practice. Rose has experience as a Co-editor, Editorial Advisory Board Member and Reviewer for the range of publications she works on.

"I have a background in knitwear design and colour, and a passion for all things textiles. In recent years much of my work has focused on how the voices of those marginalised in textiles can be brought to the fore, with co-creation and co-collaboration at the forefront of my work. What is key for me is the lens through which to look at diverse voices in the space of textiles and design."

Dr Lynn Setterington

Dr Lynn Setterington
hub@textilesociety.org.uk

Lynn has worked for many years as an academic and socially driven artist. In her freelance capacity Lynn has collaborated with communities in the North West of England as well as in India, Bangladesh and the US. She has extensive knowledge of textiles, communities and working with hard to reach organisations.

“In my role with the Textile Society, I would like to explore ways to grow and extend the reach of the organisation, drawing in new members and strengthening the regional focus.”