The Campaign for Wool has appointed Ian Maclean MBE, chairman of UK knitwear manufacturer John Smedley Ltd, as its new Chairman, effective from the announcement on October 6, 2026, in London and Bradford. He succeeds Peter Ackroyd MBE, who died unexpectedly in July 2026 after serving as chairman since January 2025.

The Campaign's Funders' Board endorsed the appointment unanimously. In its statement, the board cited Maclean's commitment to wool, his experience across manufacturing, fashion and textiles, his use of Commonwealth wool types including Merino and British wools, and his reach across global retail channels, both in-store and online.

Who is the new chairman?

Maclean leads his family-owned knitwear company, John Smedley Ltd, which holds two Royal Warrants. His industry record includes:

• Twelve years as a director on the board of UKFT, the UK fashion and textiles trade association
• Chair of the Textile Committee for The Clothworkers' Company
• President of the Sandringham Association of Royal Warrant Holders in 2025, under Patron His Majesty The King
• Chair of The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) from 2022 to 2025
• An MBE awarded in 2020 for his company's response to the Covid-19 pandemic and services to the UK textile industry

For sourcing and supply-chain professionals, the appointment places a manufacturer with direct factory and retail operating experience at the head of an industry body that promotes wool across fashion, interiors and artisan products — a signal of continuity rather than strategic change.

What does the Campaign for Wool do?

King Charles III, its Patron, first conceived the international campaign in 2008 as Prince of Wales to support farmers and promote wool's natural benefits. The Campaign formally launched to consumers in 2010. It works to raise awareness of wool as a natural fibre and to support farmers and woolgrowers across the Commonwealth, with leading wool-growing sectors in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the British Isles.

The appointment coincides with Wool Month in October 2026, a programme of events bringing together farmers, manufacturers, designers, brands and retailers. The Campaign's messaging this year emphasises traceability, responsible land management, animal welfare, recycling and circularity — themes increasingly tied to brand material decisions and compliance requirements.

Maclean said: "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."

He added: "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."

What happens next?

The Campaign frames the appointment as ensuring continuity of governance following Ackroyd's death and providing a foundation for its future development. Ackroyd's contribution to the global textile industry spanned more than 50 years. Maclean now takes forward the Campaign's work promoting wool's sustainability credentials to brands, retailers and consumers worldwide.