Dick Cole

Managing Director, Cole Fabrics Plc.

Dick has been the Managing Director of Cole Fabrics PLC for 30 years, and Director of Cole Fabrics Far East Ltd since its set up 10 years ago. He has a BSC Chemical Engineering Degree from Leeds University, and a wealth of experience in yarn, fabric and dyeing processes.

He also has first hand manufacturing knowledge of fabric coating and slitting, woven and slit edge ribbon manufacture and ribbon printing and a wealth of experience in managing supply chain manufacturers in Technical Standards, Quality Control and Ethical and Environmental audits.

John Kingsley

Sales & Technical Director

John studied Business Studies at The Bromley College of Technology and went on to join Romandus Ltd in 1981. There he learnt about all aspects of the ribbon manufacturing business and began a programme of major machine development and modernisation. He developed state of the art, fully automated equipment, resulting in dramatic improvements to both productivity and ribbon quality.

John continued to grow Romandus Ltd, introducing printed ribbons in 1987, purchasing and developing  a new manufacturing site in 1995 and completing a successful merger with Cole Fabrics in 1998. John remains heavily involved in all aspects of decorative ribbon sales, including new product development, product innovation, key account management and technical support.

Dave Forster

Labelling Director

Dave joined Cole Fabrics in 1990, having spent the previous 6 years working for one of the UK’s largest garment label printers.  During this time he has gained a wealth of experience and technical knowledge on everything from production of the yarn through to the finished product. Dave has been instrumental in the development of many of the current garment care label qualities, including the creation of Cole’s 100% post consumer waste recycled polyester ribbon range.

Dave and his team are responsible for creating and developing solutions for both independent printers and major high street groups, always ensuring our products are ‘fit for purpose’, and manufactured to the latest ethical and environmental standards.

Nick Cole

Managing Director, Cole Fabrics Far East Ltd.

Nick attained a BA Honours Degree in Business from Northumbria University and then went on to become a Certified Accountant (ACCA). He joined Cole Fabrics in 2003, initially based in the UK before moving to Hong Kong in 2010. Nick supports all our joint venture manufacturing units in the Far East, and in 2011 became Managing Director of Cole Fabrics Far East Ltd.

Pippa Saxby

Operations Director

Pippa has a BSC in Environmental Science from UWE in Bristol, and is a graduate member of the Institute of Credit Management. She has experience in managing large teams, in both the public and private sectors, working with Siemens PLC, Barclaycard and the University Hospitals of Leicester. 

Pippa has a wealth of experience in process improvements and streamlining business practices, and is key to introducing business improvement techniques across Cole Fabrics.

Christine Farmer

Sales Manager

Christine has been in ribbon sales for almost 30 years, and has seen the industry expand from a UK market, into a global business. She began her career selling ribbons and bows into the textiles industry, later moving into packaging and decorative ribbons. Christine works with a wide range of customers, from small independent design led customers through to large store groups and premium brand accounts.

Working across a range of industries including cosmetics, clothes, jewellery, food, horticulture and rosettes, Christine is able to bring elements from them all to offer unrivalled advice and service.

Jason Eaton-Watts

Quality Control & Factory Manager

Jason has been with Cole Fabrics for over 20 years, starting in manufacturing then on to quality control and more recently Factory Management. Over the last 13 years he has overseen the growth of the Quality Control department, and in 2009 was promoted to Manager of both the Quality Control department and the Supply Chain department. Jason is responsible for the company’s BRC, ISO and Oeko-Tex accreditations, and has been trained in audit conduct by an ISO 9000:2000 lead auditor.

He has completed numerous colour management and recognition courses over the last 10 years, as well as regular management training courses.  He is responsible for our ethical obligations, as a registered AB member of SEDEX, and ensuring that our supply chain also operates to our expected standards.

Garry Ashmore

Health and Safety Officer

Garry has worked for Cole Fabrics for almost 40 years – having progressed from machine assistant through machine operator, production & QC manager and Factory Manager, to his role today as Health and Safety Officer.  During this time Garry has gained various qualifications, including the Certificate of NEBOSH, a Health and Safety degree in SHEM (Safety, Health and Environment Management), the CIPD Certificate in Training Practice, and is currently studying to become the lean lead for the company.

Garry leads on Health and Safety audits, influencing developments and improvements to ensure we consistently deliver high-quality, safely processed products.

John Kaye

Planning Manager

John began his career in the Royal Navy as an electrical engineer. He then moved into garment manufacturing, producing garments mainly for Marks & Spencer. He spent 15 years in this industry where he gained valuable experience in purchasing, planning and production management. John joined Cole Fabrics in 2001 as a production planner, later being promoted to Planning Manager.

John’s department is responsible for allocation of resources, global purchasing, logistics and stock control. John’s in depth knowledge of the business enables him to meet our customers’ demand for quality and timely delivery, and also to ensure our products are always ‘fit for purpose’. 

Simon Taylor

Weaving and Dyeing Manager

Coming from a Family with a rich textile heritage he is the third generation to manage a textile plant. He has over 25 years experience in all aspects of narrow fabrics manufacture covering – product design, warping, weaving (ribbon & labels), continuous dyeing, finishing, make-up and packaging, production machinery maintenance and re-engineering.

He has Passion for Art & Design (B-Tec Graphic Design & Reproduction Skills) and is trained in label design (both woven and printed).

Nick Clarke

Projects Manager

Nick completed a Business Studies course at Northampton College and then in 2001 along with his mother & father started a family business (Signature Ribbon) where their main focus was producing foil printed ribbon, especially bespoke, in the UK. Over the years the business continued to flourish supplying a number of prestigious companies and adding various decorative packaging products to its portfolio. In November 2020 Signature Ribbon successfully merged with Cole Fabrics.

Nick has particular knowledge in the Horticultural sector supplying major stores for a number of years and he continues to manage projects for them along with various other industries including confectionery and food.

Gareth Johnson

Print Manager

Gareth joined Cole fabrics in 2018 as our Print Manager. In his previous employment he started out as a print technician and progressed through to general manager. Gareth has 24 years’ experience in narrow fabric printing in areas including Digital Dye Sublimation, Foil stamping, Letter press, Flexo Dye Sublimation and Screen printing.

This knowledge and experience in print techniques, as well as the colour spectrum and shade matching, positions Cole Fabrics as experts in the printing field.

Rebecca Daynes

Project Co-ordinator

Rebecca graduated from the University of Leeds with a BA Hons in Textile Management and has worked in various textile roles over the last 30 years covering fabric and garment production.

With knowledge and understanding gained over the years Rebecca has managed projects within Cole Fabrics since joining in 2009. The projects cover a wide range of industries including cosmetics, confectionery, jewellery and fashion.

Emma Bentley

Sales Co-ordinator

Since graduating with a BA Joint Hons degree in French & Management from Leeds University, Emma has worked in Sales and Marketing. Originally working for the largest brewer in the world, Emma joined the Sales Team at Cole Fabrics in 2014.

Emma’s role and key focus is to visit customers who would like to understand more about our capabilities and our full range of products.

Carole Booth

Projects Administrator

Carole was born & raised in a town with a rich textile heritage, she has worked for over 35 years in the ribbon/decorative packaging industry, covering various areas but mostly within the horticultural sector, supplying ribbons into the major store groups & nurseries.

With her many years of experience Carole has gained knowledge & understanding of the ribbon business and is able to pass this on to customers.

Stacy Gilbert

Environmental and Sustainability Developer

Stacy has a BSc in Forensic Science with Criminology from the University of Derby and is an Associate member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment.

Her experience of working in the science industry, for over 9 years, allows for a multitude of valuable skills to champion this role; from research, data collection, and project management.

Her passion speaks volumes in sustainability; she is a driver of sustainable change within the business and ensures compliance with regulations and standards.