Paul Alger MBE is International Business Director at the UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) and has worked in the industry for 37 years, originally starting his working life in the food import and marketing industry. He is a BA Hons graduate in Modern Languages, Politics and Economics.

Since 1989 he has worked with UK designers and manufacturers in the fashion and textile industry, offering business advice and support, particularly relating to international business and trade shows. He is experienced in the established markets of Europe and the USA but also has extensive experience and contacts in Japan, China and Korea.

He represents the UK fashion and textile industry to government on issues including HMG’s Domestic Agreement Group (DAG) which supports and he separately advises on and scrutinises the UK’s new FTAs and agreements with countries including the EU, Japan, Canada, the USA, CPTPP and, more recently, India and Korea on behalf of British industry.

Since 2018 he has been Chairman of Export Partners UK (a cross-sectoral not-for-profit organisation set up to encourage a joined up approach to UK exports, international trade and relations with Government).

He was awarded an MBE award for services to Fashion and Exports in 2019.