What led you to the leather industry and what do you love about your work?
DT: I fell into the industry by chance in 2015. Having run my own business for 10 years while the children were growing up, I had decided to test the waters going back out to the corporate world. A recruitment agency approached me to consider a position with a local company and it turned out to be working for BLC Leather Technology, managing the Leather Working Group (LWG). I took the job, quickly became absorbed in the leather industry and the passionate people I came into contact with. That turned into a deeper appreciation of the sustainable attributes and risks that are associated with leather…and here we are a decade later.
What inspired you to launch the Sustainable Leather Foundation and what are you most proud of over the past 5 years?
DT: Colleagues who I had worked with during my time at LWG inspired me to launch the Foundation. Knowing that I had the support of industry who believed that I could create a framework for inclusive improvement, spurred me on to put into action everything I knew was missing in terms of a support organisation for the industry.
It hasn’t been easy, but I am most proud of the reputation SLF has earned as an enabling partner to many of the industry associations and NGOs, having worked on significant projects together with Leather & Hide Council of America, African Leather and Leather Products Institute, COTANCE, WWF Pakistan, UNIDO, GIZ, SMEP, UNECE and others. It makes me proud to know that we are providing valuable training and support that really makes a difference.
The other achievement is the SLF Transparency Dashboard – the first and only tool of its kind in the industry – it provides an accessible way to demonstrate sustainable improvement at whatever stage of development a company is at. I don’t believe the Dashboard has reached it’s true potential yet but I know it is a powerful tool that could transform the industry with wider adoption.
What challenges are the leather industry facing and what do we need to do more of and less of?
DT: The biggest challenge is the incoming regulations, particularly EUDR but also others such as the EU Waste Directive and EU Green Claims Directive. Everything hinges upon the ability to trace material and our industry is still not up to that task.
Losing market share to other material types will only increase if the industry cannot demonstrate enough robust due diligence and we are starting to see signs of that already.
Industry has always risen to the challenge but traceability seems to remain the biggest hurdle we face and it is the foundation upon which all other sustainability claims rest.
Who are the people you most admire in our industry and why?
DT: Most of the people I admire in the industry are the ones who are the changemakers – people like Gusatvo Defeo for his work on evaluating the bio based content of leather against its alternative materials; also his study on other property comparisons such as durability, waterproofing, etc.
Another Gustavo I admire is Gustavo Quijano, Secretary General of COTANCE for his unwavering championing of leather at governmental level – but also his statesman-like way of conducting himself in the industry. I have a huge respect for him.
What are your aims for SLF 2026 and what steps are you taking to get there?
DT: Our main aim for 2026 is to achieve accreditation. We began working on this at the beginning of 2025 and it’s a long process but we are making good strides towards UKAS accreditation to ISO17065. Currently our Standards are being reviewed ahead of the certification body, SLF Auditing Services undergoing formal accreditation.
Growth and wider adoption are also a key priority and we are actively developing a strategy for better visibility and value creation.
Find out more
See more about the Sustainable Leather Foundation by visiting the links below