Changing guard for industry body
The new head of the Council of Textile and Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA) has made public her plans for the future of the association.
Jo Kellock - who commenced her role as executive director of Australia's peak industry body on January 21 following the resignation of Ashley Van Krieken - said her immediate focus would be to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
"Moving forward I am excited by the number of TFIA initiatives, industry innovations and research and development projects I have seen in my first week," she said.
Improving communication and focusing on value for TFIA membership would also be key priorities, while addressing training, skills shortages and the environment at a broader industry level would remain high on the agenda.
A continued focus on the implementation of a national sizing scheme could also figure in Kellock's plans. President and a founding member of the Fashion Technicians Association of Australia (FTAA) - itself a TFIA member - Kellock also sits on the TFIA executive committee and has been heavily involved in recent sizing initiatives.
Kellock - who is currently studying a Master of Design (Fashion) at RMIT and is a committee member of the Textiles Institute - brings 17 years' of industry experience to her new role. Her resumé includes running her own boutique as well as a variety of industry positions including pre-production manager, project manager for AusIndustry's COMET (commercialising emerging technologies) program, fashion designer and educator.
Praising the "dedication and hard work" that Van Krieken - who left the TCF sector to enter a new position with the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AUSIMM) - had put into the role, Kellock said protecting the gains achieved under his aegis would be a priority.
"Ashley's commitment to the continued growth and development of the TFIA has positioned it as a valuable resource for the industry. Through activities such as the Australian TCF Technology Network and Australian Fashion Council, he has provided additional resources and broadened both the scope and network of the Council," she said.
"Ashley provided a strong focus on policy through his ongoing work with Federal and State Government Ministers, Shadow Ministers and Departments to ensure the TFIA remains a key association for the TCF and fashion sectors in Australia and is consulted on all aspects of industry and trade policy. The contacts and network that he has built for the TFIA with all sides of politics will be invaluable to the association moving forward."
By Belinda Smart