Speakers

Alan Wheeler is CEO of the UK Textile Recycling Association and General Secretary of the Bureau of International Recycling’s Textiles Division. He also sits on the Textiles Board of the European Recycling Industries Confederation (EuRIC). With over 20 years of direct involvement in the textile recycling industry and 30 years’ experience in the wider recycling sector, Alan brings a broad perspective on both operational challenges and strategic policy development.

His work ranges from advising the public and supporting industry stakeholders to engaging with senior politicians and civil servants to influence UK and EU policy. Over the years, he has contributed to high-level discussions and attended events at 10 Downing Street, where he met the Prime Minister during an announcement about sector funding. He also met HRH Princess Anne in 2022 during an industry event in which he participated.

Recently, Alan chaired a policy-focused session at the global convention of SMART—the US-based Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association—in Dubai, exploring policy implementation challenges and opportunities across the UK, Europe, and the Americas. He remains a committed advocate for a sustainable, circular textiles economy both in the UK and internationally.