How long have you been working with wool?
I’ve been working with wool since I was a child, about 8 years old. Helping my father on the wool producing farm he managed, as well as being a wool broker.
What’s your role within The Woolkeepers?
I’m a very hands on Managing Director of the The Woolkeepers. I like to be seeing our farmers where possible, chatting about how they are getting on. At the same time seeing what wool we have coming in and what orders it will be most suitable for.
Where did the first spark of an idea for The Woolkeepers come from?
It was back in 2018 and a meeting with Jo Dawson, Alan Walsh and Ali Atkinson during a regenerative farming course.
What do you love most about your job?
Being able to find the best use for different wool types, and be at the forefront of new innovations in the wool industry.
Who inspires you the most when it comes to your work?
My father got me interested in wool, and taught me all I needed to know to become a wool buyer in Australia, before I moved to the UK.
What have you learnt from working with the Woolkeepers community over the years?
Farmers are extremely proud of their produce, and it’s great that we can help them get a better return for their wool, which is usually seen in the UK as a commodity with little to no value.
What’s next for The Woolkeepers?
We will be working to get closer ties with our farmers while working towards some new projects that we have in the pipeline.
And finally, why choose wool?
Because it’s awesome! The natural properties of wool make it brilliant for so many different products. The environmentally friendly benefits of wool are still very understated outside of the wool industry. Education for the younger people and children about wool and it’s benefits will only help push
higher demand from consumers for amazing woolen products.
Photography by Red Tractor as part of their recent How Do They? Series