MISSION

TEX+ aims to advance education in the subject of textile design at BA and MA level, and at UK secondary schools by:

Bridging the gap between finishing education and finding a role in the fast-changing textile industry through training, access to mentorship and individual prizes including paid and evaluated internships, and business start-up support to include advice on administration & client engagement.

Preparing design graduates to enter the workplace as designer/makers or as part of the textile industry through professional practice guidance and continual mentorship, including opportunities to gain advice and feedback on portfolio presentation, potential career and study routes from professionals in the field giving their time freely.

Engaging with young people to promote awareness of textile design by delivering regular interviews via the TEX+ website with TexSelect & TEX+ Alumni, textile university and college tutors and other textile professionals, with the intention of educating the next generation on the possibilities of studying textiles in further education and forging careers in the creative industries.

Creating a community of textile designers including TexSelect and TEX+ alumni, from experienced professionals to the most recent graduates, by providing a platform for a textile design and study network.

Identifying areas of interest to encourage young people to focus research on material, innovation for environment, medicine, technology & society, under the headings Alchemy/Industry/Arts/Collaboration/Impact

STRUCTURE

TEX+ has been acknowledged as being of public benefit and in December 2024 was granted Charitable Incorporated Organisation status by the Charity Commission of England and Wales. TEX+ was entered onto the Register of Charities with the Registered Charity Number 1211314.

The charity status recognition comes after TEXPLUS’s first full year in operation, during which time the programme was managed on a pro bono basis by the Trustee group - Joanna Bowring, Gill Gledhill, Katie Greenyer, Prof Clare Johnston, Jeremy Somers and Honorary Treasurer Yuen-Wei Chew - to ensure its delivery while the Charity Commission deliberated the application. 

With CIO status established, the TEXPLUS trustees call on industry professionals to consider their positive business commitments to nurture new textile talent. TEXPLUS needs sponsors to provide in-kind and financial support and create opportunities for the next generation of textile professionals to help them to achieve their potential. 

The TEX+ Council was established and the first meeting took place in March 2025.