Krishan Hundal – Partner
Krishan Hundal graduated from Loughborough University with a MSc in Polymer Technology & BSc in Materials Engineering before becoming a Graduate Technologist in 1990.
In 2011, Krishan was appointed Technical & Sourcing Director of Marks & Spencer, he was responsible for the sourcing, quality, innovation, manufacturing, specifications and packaging for all General Merchandise products representing over £4bn of sales.
His role included developing and implementing business strategy across a wide range of complex areas including sustainability, ethics, chemicals management, animal welfare, stakeholder and media management and other technical governance challenges.
With over 25 years experience, Krishan’s technical hands on leadership experience with all matters technical are second to none and is seen as a leading technical authority both in the UK and Globally.
William Aylott – Partner
With over 25 years’ in search and selection, sales, marketing, corporate events & consulting within the Banking sector, William has unique insight into a number of diverse industry Sectors.
William is the founder and Managing Director of a leading international Consultancy firm in Capital Markets. As a Partner to Trusted Circle, he advises on strategy, marketing and board level matters.
He has a positive and energetic disposition with a great ability to engage with people at all levels.
Alok Nagpal – Partner
Alok, the founding member of Trusted Circle® graduated from Strathclyde University in 1990 with a degree in Electronics & Electrical Engineering.
He co-founded IC Resources in 1999, a specialist engineering recruitment firm which has grown to one of Europe’s foremost recruitment companies.
In 2014, Alok became the non Executive Director to explore other business interests but continues to be part of IC Resources at board level assisting with the strategic direction. He is now an active advisor, investor and board member of a range of companies.
Alok brings over 25 years experience in search and selection recruitment, strong operational expertise and a pragmatic approach to the nuances of business.
Trish Cooper – Head of Business Development & Resourcing
Trish has over 20+ years’ sales experience within publishing, stationery and gifting having worked across key retailers on major brands, licenses and own brand products from conception through to delivery. She prides herself on understanding her client’s brief and realising that each client has different business needs.
Moving from a product-based role to a service industry was a natural transition as her driving passion is always the people she works with and is well placed to understand the needs of clients and candidates alike. She is generous with her time, honest in her views and always focused on doing what is in the best interest of her clients/candidates and excels at matching both skill sets and culture.
Trish is very personable in her approach and understands the importance of building strong and lasting relationships with a helpful and appreciative attitude at all levels and delivers service with integrity in a collaborative way as to build trust at all levels of engagement
Harry Stephens – Online Marketing Consultant
Harry studied Business and Sport Management BSc (Hons) at The University of Hertfordshire before gaining experience in marketing and sales roles within telecommunication technology industry.
His previous experiences have included running social media accounts and sales to high-profile clients, and is now responsible for the recruitment and social media at Trusted Circle.
Harry’s a talented sportsman, having been a former professional cricketer playing for multiple county sides over a 6 year career.
Diane Greaves – Associate Consultant
Diane has worked in the safety of children’s consumer products for over twenty-five years, initially managing two laboratories, both of which were accredited to the testing of children’s toys, childcare articles and nursery products. She also became involved in the standardization committees in the UK and EU for children’s toys, children’s clothing, and childcare articles; this involvement has continued to this day.
In 1994 she became interested in the hazard approach to all areas of children’s product safety, from mechanical and physical to chemical, realising the importance of considering how child behaviour affected the safety of consumer products intended for or foreseeably to be used by children. She is involved with undertaking both training courses and risk assessments for many high-street names including Marks & Spencer, Mamas and Papas, Nike, Tomy and most of the leading children’s publishers. Diane is able to connect with organizations at all levels, and her approach to the safety of children’s products makes a very complicated area both understandable and interesting.
Phil Patterson – Associate Consultant
Phil obtained a degree in Colour Chemistry from the University of Leeds in 1989. Since graduating, Phil started his career gaining broad business experience in industry and retail. He has worked for a number of organisations including Courtaulds Research, Textured Jersey, Tencel Fibres and Marks & Spencer.
After a two decades of working in the dyeing and finishing industry, Phil has been working as a Textile Consultant since 2007 who provides advice, training on dyeing, printing, finishing, colour management, restricted substances and sustainability to all parts of the textile supply chain from industry through to retail.
Phil‘s straightforward style is regularly sought by industry and retail clients, NGO’s and the media – he is a regular contributor to publications and conferences.
Walter Wheater – Associate Consultant
Walter has with over 40 years garment technical, industrial engineering and manufacturing experience.
Throughout his career he has worked for leading brands, suppliers and manufacturers all over the world. He has an outstanding track record of finding simple and practical solutions to customer briefs, built around his outstanding knowledge in all aspects of the garment manufacturing and sourcing industry.
Areas of expertise includes:
Fit, blocks, patterns, garment construction, cost engineering, factory QA systems, garment innovation, training and coaching to name a few.
Deborah Shulton – Associate Consultant
Deborah Shulton graduated from University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology with a first-class honours BSc in Textile Technology and joined Marks and Spencer in 1988. Her career at Marks and Spencer spanned most womenswear departments where Deborah built up her comprehensive knowledge of apparel fabric bases and the international supply base.
She has a proven track record of working with designers to deliver commercially viable fabrics whilst retaining design integrity and was one of the founder members of the Autograph brand.
After leaving Marks and Spencer in 2008, Deborah gained a Post Graduate Certificate of Education and now specialises in delivering bespoke training packages to buyers, designers and merchandisers.
Training packages cover all aspects of fabric manufacture from raw materials through to the finished fabrics, concentrating on key influences on cost, quality and lead time.
Robin Mitchell – Associate Consultant
His extensive career in textile technology has given him a truly global perspective and knowledge of the fabric industry that is unique. His has hands on experience of working in a commercial context that has enabled him to quickly understand the real commercial value of technology and see beyond technical spin.
Robin’s skills around fabric innovation, problem solving, fabric sourcing, supply chains and working closely with design teams has given him an incredible insight into the end to end fabric management process.
Robin’s ability to connect with all levels and organisations with different cultures throughout the world is based on his simple, straight forward approach to business which has delivered long term relationships built around strong values and trust.
Ian Morris – Associate Consultant
Ian is a graduate of De Montfort University (Leicester), having obtained a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Textile Technology. In 2006, he was awarded a Fellowship of the Textile Institute, and appointed Technical Director of the ASBCI in 2016
He is a highly experienced textile technical specialist, with over 30 years experience in product development and technical management at Marks & Spencer, where he became Head of Technical Services in 2004. He left M&S since 2014, Ian has been providing consultancy services in his areas of expertise.
His knowledge of apparel testing, performance standards, compliance and legislation, and product development, including his specialty of hosiery, is highly respected, and regularly sought after by global testing houses, test machine suppliers, apparel suppliers, and major global Brands
Ian operates with commitment, integrity, rigour, and clear communication, and he is experienced at working with management at all levels of the organisation to deliver globally scalable solutions.