The Campaign for Wool has appointed Ian Maclean MBE as its new chairman. Ian succeeds the late Peter Ackroyd MBE, who unexpectedly passed away in July after serving as chairman since January 2025.
"Peter’s contribution as chairman and to the global textile industry for over 50 years was greatly valued, and his untimely passing was deeply felt," says Campaign for Wool.
The appointment comes during Wool Month in October, when the Campaign for Wool will once again bring together farmers, manufacturers, designers, brands, retailers and consumers through a programme of events and activities celebrating wool and its many applications across fashion, interiors and artisan products.
Ian has been a long-standing supporter of the Campaign for Wool and has played an active role in the wider UK wool and textile industry throughout his career. As chairman of his family-owned knitwear company, John Smedley, Ian brings considerable experience from the manufacturing and retail sectors. He is also the grantee of two Royal Warrants held by the company.
Ian says: "It is a great honour to be appointed chairman of the Campaign for Wool. As a long-standing supporter of the campaign since its inception, I have seen first-hand the importance of His Majesty's vision in bringing together the many different parts of the wool community.
"Wool has such an important role to play in the future of textiles, with its natural, renewable and biodegradable qualities making it increasingly relevant as we seek more sustainable materials and more responsible ways of producing and consuming. I look forward to working with our partners and supporters around the world to build on the strong foundations laid by those who have led the campaign before me, and to continue championing wool for future generations."
