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Championing garment workers to drive long-term sustainable change

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Garment and Textile Workers Trust

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Meet the Team

The Garment and Textile Workers Trust is governed by an independent group of Trustees which is Chaired by Kevin McKeever. Find out a little more about the team below.

Kevin McKeever

Chair

Kevin has over 15 years’ experience in communications and public affairs, advising senior politicians, companies and individuals. He previously founded the local engagement practice at a large consultancy and is a three-time parliamentary candidate. Politically active, Kevin sat on Sadiq Khan’s Business Engagement Board and has been involved in political campaigns across the country.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to represent the Garment and Textile Workers Trust and the team we have assembled to deliver on the ambitious objectives. The problems facing garment workers, not just in Leicester but across the country, are complex and multi-dimensional. Solving them will take hard work from a variety of different organisations and individuals, and I am proud to be playing my part in the transformation.

Tim Nelson

Trustee

Tim Nelson is the co-founder and CEO of Hope for Justice and Slave-Free Alliance. Hope for Justice is an international charity working to bring an end to modern slavery and human trafficking and offers an effective and proven model that is replicable, scalable, and award-winning. The charity’s vision is to live in a world free from slavery and its work across five continents and in 8 countries is focused on preventing exploitation, rescuing victims, restoring lives and reforming society. It does this through community engagement and outreach; investigation and rescue; survivor support and advocacy; community prevention and anti-trafficking education; residential and non-residential aftercare and transitional care; family reintegration; training; campaigning and policy work; and business engagement via our Slave-Free Alliance division. Tim is a founder of Hope for Justice and he created and launched Slave-Free Alliance, which works with more than 80 organisations including 8 FTSE 100 companies to protect their supply chains against modern slavery. Tim has a background in Banking, Finance and Technology.​​

I’m delighted to be offered the opportunity to sit on the GTWT Trustee Board. This presents a unique opportunity to help those individuals who represent an essential group of workers in manufacturing clothing in the UK. My hope and intention is to ensure that in any possible way we can see these people supported to ensure that nobody is working in exploitative circumstances.

Cheryl Chung

Trustee

Cheryl has over 20 years’ experience in corporate communications in global organisations in a variety of different sectors. Cheryl has a proven track record of managing multi-stakeholder relationships, to deliver campaign’s and initiatives that drive reappraisal and understanding and connect with the desired audience. Cheryl is currently leading the development of a new ESG strategy for the boohoo group.

I am delighted to have been asked to help establish and then become a founding Trustee of the G&TWT. As a group of Trustees we share a common aim to make a meaningful, lasting and measurable difference to the people employed in the industry and I look forward to working with the community to achieve this aim.

Allison Tripney

Trustee

Alli’s career started in secondary teaching where she progressed to Head of English before securing an Education role at West Bromwich Albion Football Club. After several years in strategic roles within Local Authorities, Alli returned to a football environment progressing to Deputy Director at WBA’s Albion Foundation. Alli has now been Head of Community at Leicester City Football Club for the last four seasons where she has implemented a new strategy and business plan underpinned by agreed values and delivered by an increasingly diverse team.

I’m very much looking forward to making a real, measurable difference to the lives of Leicester-based textile workers and their families through my role as Trustee for the Garment and Textile Workers Trust.

Lisa Shelvin

Trustee

Lisa has over 25 years’ experience working within the fashion and garment industry, w
orking primarily across global brands and supply companies. She has consistently been employed as a designer and has an extensive knowledge of manufacturing in the UK and at various locations worldwide. Her strong work ethic and team building has resulted in forging meaningful relationships within the industry and she has gained an excellent overview of the diversity of roles within the fashion industry.

It is a real privilege to be offered the opportunity to join the members representing the GTWT trustee board. I am optimistic and excited that we can offer understanding and support to all individuals involved within the industry, assisting them by providing meaningful outcomes for themselves and their wider communities.

Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan

Trustee

Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan is the founder and CEO of the Zinthiya Trust, a charity supporting women and families to be free from poverty and abuse.  The Charity has been providing services to some of the most vulnerable people in Leicester and Leicestershire since 2009.  A published author and campaigner, Zinthiya is passionate about social justice.  She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Clore Social Leadership, the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and the School of Social Enterprise-UK. 

I am delighted to have joined the board of the Garment and Textile Workers Trust as I have always had an interest in supporting those involved in the garments and textiles industry in Leicester. I am looking forward to growing into the role and supporting our community.

Salima Hussain-Chowdhury

Trustee

Salima is a conscientious professional with over 23 years’ experience in fashion design, manufacturing, and the garment industry. With a BA Hons in Fashion & Textile Design from De Montfort University, through she has successfully evolved into an ambitious and resilient professional. Salima is the founder of her own Design Consultancy Service, where she works with manufacturers, start-ups, and established businesses.

I am delighted to have been appointed as a trustee for the Garment and Textile Workers Trust. Fashion communicates to the world who we are and who we’d like to be. Essentially, It’s the way we can express ourselves truly. I love how fashion is a means of personal expression and a desire to grow and how it makes me feel strong and confident. With lived-in experience and a passion for positive change, I truly believe I can make a difference to the lives of others.

David Lindley

Trustee

David is the former governor of Welbeck, the Defence Sixth Form College, Trustee and governance lead for LOROS - the Leicester Leicestershire and Rutland Hospice - and The Bradgate Park Trust, where he is also a volunteer with a passion for drystone walling. David is also an active volunteer with the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust. After a career in policing spanning over thirty years, he was commissioned as Deputy Lieutenant of Leicestershire in 2015 and awarded the Queens Police Medal in 2002.

As trustee, I welcome the opportunity to make a difference to the lives and daily experience of those not always able to stand up for themselves or who lack the understanding of their rights in our modern society.