Town’s fashion set head to capital
A SEWING machinist from a Bollington textile firm was invited to London to meet the Prime Minister.
Emma Sheldon, 24, works at RA Smart Holdings which prints textiles to export across the world. She and boss Ron Smart were invited to Downing Street along with members of the British Fashion Council to talk to Theresa May about their involvement in the British Fashion Industry.
Emma, who is a former pupil at Tytherington School, was taken on at Smart’s as an apprentice after completing an NVQ in Apparel and Fashion. She said: “I am honoured and privileged to be part of such an important event at Downing Street.
“One of the reasons I love my job so much is because it is another step to making British Fashion bigger and even better than it already is. Before I started RA Smart I had no experience within the industry. Becoming an apprentice has thought me not only the knowledge I need for my job, but has broadened my horizons to having an successful career within the company.
“Having an apprenticeship is a stepping stone which can open doors to many paths within the industry. Just having a qualification is of great value in itself.”
Theresa May emphasised the importance of the UK’s fashion industry, which contributes £28billion to Britain’s economy and supports nearly 900,000 jobs.
She said: “I was delighted to welcome representatives from across the industry to Downing Street ahead of London Fashion Week - which is one of the biggest and most influential fashion events in the world. I was also pleased to welcome fashion apprentices, scholarship winners and graduate trainees who are the future of British fashion.”
RA Smart, which is based at Clough Bank, exports 50 percent of its ladies fashion products and 88pc of its gents production is sent abroad, mainly across Europe, the USA and Japan.
Macclesfield MP David Rutley, said: “Having the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister at such a prestigious event is clear recognition of the sterling work being undertaken by R A Smart.
“I am delighted that the company’s work with apprentices and its export success are based on the heritage of Macclesfield’s silk industry and help keep it alive for new generations.”