Ian McLeod – Chairperson, Klitra Ltd
Production Director of Hawick Knitwear. Ian has been a supporter of Klitra for many years and has himself achieved a Management SVQ at level 5. His company has a long tradition of offering quality training to it’s workforce at all levels.
Nick Saunders – Vice Chairperson, Klitra Ltd
Production Director of Stretchline based in Sherston. Nick has also chaired the Narrow Fabrics Training Club which has been a leader in best practice for collaborative activities to ensure that the best technical training has been available for Narrow Fabrics.
David W.S. Harrison – Treasurer and Company Secretary, Klitra Ltd.
David is a chartered accountant and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants who has spent 20 years of his working life in textiles having worked first for Seleston Textiles before becoming self-employed. He became Company Secretary for Klitra Ltd. in 1991 and later for Klitra Training also when it was set up in 1998. David continues to plays squash and golf and he enjoys foreign travel with his wife.
Erica Colver –Chief Executive, Klitra Ltd
Erica joined Klitra as the Chief Executive at the beginning of last year. Before this she was Managing Director of Tanya Knitwear, where she successfully led a management buy-out of the company in July 2003 and became Managing Director of one of the few surviving traditional fully-fashioned knitwear companies in the U.K. and one of the oldest established brand names in knitwear. Erica brings to the business a wealth of experience which saw her as Corporate Development Director for businesses as diverse as furniture and kitchen/bathroom design. She manages to combine a busy career with bringing up a son and still has time to be actively involved in activities to help the industry.
Warwick Groves – Past Chairperson, Klitra Ltd.
Before his retirement, Warwick was the owner and Managing Director of J.C. Groves Ltd., Springfield Lace Ltd. and Sandiacre Mill Co. Ltd. Nottingham, lace manufacturers. Warwick has chaired Klitra Ltd. for many years and was also Chair of KTL. He is a previous president of the British Lace Federation and past president of the Lace Research Association. In his spare time Warwick is a Rotarian and current President of Hemlock Stone Probus.
Malcolm Stirk – Past Treasurer, Klitra Ltd.
Former lecturer at Derby University and widely respected Guru of the narrow fabrics manufacturing sector. There are many senior managers in the industry who owe a debt of gratitude to Malcolm for his in-depth knowledge of narrow fabrics. Malcolm who lives in Derby is now retired but he still keeps an active interest in the industry and is a qualified NVQ assessor taking candidates through their Textile qualifications. He is a active member of the Lions and looks forward to his stint as Santa at Christmas!.
William (Bill) D Boggon – Past Secretary, Hinckley & District Knitting Association, Hinckley
After starting work in the shipbuilding industry in his native Sunderland, Bill moved south to become Secretary of the Hinckley & District Knitting Industry Association in 1960. Since then he has spent some 45 years working in the knitting industry with both major manufactures and knitting industry associations. He came out of retirement in 1995 to once again take up secretarial duties for the Hinckley & District Knitting Association. Since the association’s closure, Bill continues to represent the interests of the local industry at Council.
Anne E Carvell – Director of the Knitting Industries Federation Ltd., Leicester
Anne has been Director of the Knitting Industries Federation for more than ten years and is an acknowledged expect in the field of Employment Law and is a respected mediator in many industry negotiations. Her knowledge and mediation skills are valued by employers and Union representatives alike and in addition she sits on Industrial Tribunals and is a tireless worker for the good of the industry in general. Anne, who is a cat lover, lives in Melton Mowbray with her husband.
Peter Crowe – representing the Trade Union
Before becoming a union officer, Peter worked for a knitwear company in Leicestershire. He is a member of the National Executive Committee and sits on many other committees including the KDLI (Knitting, Dyeing & Lace Industries Executive Committee), the Health & Safety Executive Committee and NJIC (Negotiating Committee). In addition, Peter is involved with Leicester Council in the Job Service Partnership steering group and the Discrimination Action project.
Ian Croxall – Industry Representative, Hinckley
Ian was the owner and Managing Director one of the largest commission processors to the hosiery industry for leading manufacturers and well-known brand names for 37 years. He employed and trained local labour in his home village in Warwickshire. Ian was the longest serving chairman for the Hinckley & District Knitting Industry Association and has served on its Executive committee for some 25 years. Ian was a semi-professional cricketer for Leicester County Cricket Club for many years and was a free-lance cricket broadcaster for the BBC.
Joan R. Davis – Consultant to Klitra Ltd
Joan joined Klitra Ltd in 1987 as National Training Officer and succeeded Stuart Almond as Chief Executive in 1993. Joan has a long career in the industry, starting in work study, firstly for an apparel company and then with a large local company that produced knitted fabrics, lace and lingerie. She then went into fashion retailing and worked for Dorothy Perkins, Wallis, Chelsea Girl, Top Shop and Richards. She returned to the manufacturing side, working for a narrow fabrics company prior to joining Klitra. Joan retired from Klitra Training Ltd in 2004 but continues to support the training needs of the industry as an advisor to Klitra. She is involved with City & Guilds as an Operational Advisor, External Verifier and Qualifications Advisor. In her spare time she enjoys cooking and foreign travel.
Duncan Mc Meeking – Chairperson KTL, President of British Lace Association. and Group Managing Director, Nottingham Textile Group, Nottingham
Born and brought up in the lace industry traditions of Nottingham, Duncan heads up the Nottingham-based company which manufacturers a wide range of industrial fabrics from hair nets for the food industry to high tensile webbing. He is dedicated to the advancement and modernisation of the industry and makes sure his own company is at the forefront of product innovation and staff training. Duncan is a family man with young sons who may want to follow him into the business and so carry on the tradition to the fourth generation.
Jeff Scrivner – Chief Executive of EMTEX and Klitra Training Ltd
Jeff has been Chief Executive of EMTEX for the last fifteen years. He is an energetic and active champion for the industry. His organisation continues to attract considerable funding to support the sector. He is a board member of the British Apparel Textiles Advisory Group, an executive member of EMDA Strategic Management Board and chair of EMCAT Cluster Global Trading Group.
