About Us
Compliance is Our Whole Job – Not an Afterthought
Expert Advice
The Knowledge Nexus brings together experienced industry professionals covering the full lifecycle of a product: development and fabric technology; dyeing, finishing and printing; testing, labelling and packaging; production and technical management; ethical auditing, certifications and supply chain management; EPR regulations and declarations; and building the ethical and sustainable practices that sit underneath all of it.
Our experience spans raw materials, yarns and fabrics, children's wear, adult's clothing including knitwear, tailoring and performance outerwear, footwear and accessories - from small-scale luxury production to global supply chains for well-known brands and retailers. We also work across homewares, from bedding to garden tools.
The idea came in 2022, watching the EPR landscape shift fast in the UK and EU and realising there wasn't a one-stop shop for the advice small to mid-size businesses actually needed - support that could flex between a short project and an ongoing arrangement. We started oficially in 2023.
Whether you're a start-up brand or an established one, we're here to help you navigate compliance and product development, and to build the internal practices that get great products to market without the last-minute scramble.
If you don't know it… we do.
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The Knowledge Nexus is a collective of experienced industry professionals with a wide range of expertise covering all aspects of the sector, from product and fabric development and technology; dyeing, finishing and printing; testing, labelling and packaging requirements and production, to technical and compliance management; ethical auditing, certifications and supply chain management; EPR regulations and declarations and building and meeting best ethical and sustainable business practices.
Our skills and knowledge cover raw materials, yarns, fabrics, children’s wear, adult’s clothing including true knitwear, tailoring and performance outerwear, footwear and accessories, from luxury small scale to global production, both within the supply chain itself and for well known brands and retailers. We also have experience with homewares from bedding to garden tools!
We have joined forces to become a hub of advice and knowledge for the fashion and home product industry.
The idea for The Knowledge Nexus formed in 2022 when we were considering the fast-changing criteria of EPR requirements within the UK and EU and how we felt there was the opening for a one-stop-shop for help and advice on many areas of the industry support small to mid size businesses, offering the capacity for both short term projects and on-going collaboration.
We started in earnest in 2023 and are here to help you, whether you are a small start up brand or an already established company, to navigate the ever-changing landscape of compliance and product development within the industry, and to help you build and improve business best practices to deliver great quality products to market.
If you don’t know it… we do.
Josh Woodley
Director
Josh's career in fashion, began in theatrical craftsmanship and a love of structural foundations, and is built on attention to detail and a close working knowledge of industry legislation.
From her education in Fashion Design and Textile Technology through to her senior technical roles at high-profile fashion brands, Josh has always combined traditional garment skills with a pragmatic approach to compliance.
Co-founding The Knowledge Nexus draws on over 20 years of experience steering brands toward ethical compliance and innovation, with a collaborative, easy-going working style.
“I got into this because I like solving problems properly, not just ticking a box - and that usually means paying attention to the details everyone else skips.”
Manuals & Policies
Certifications
Green Claims
Compliance
Training
Expert Witness
Niall Maplesden
Director
Niall's career in fashion compliance, rooted in an extensive knowledge of yarn and fabric supply chains, is marked by a steadfast dedication to professionalism, meticulous attention to detail, and a deep understanding of industry legislation.
From his early education in Textile colouration and testing to his roles in overseeing compliance across high-profile fashion brands, Niall has always been driven by a passion for ensuring good, safe practices within the intricate web of global supply chains.
His leadership in co-founding The Knowledge Nexus brings over three decades of experience, steering the fashion industry towards ethical sourcing, regulatory adherence and product innovation with a relaxed and informed approach.
“I believe in educating brands on making the kinds of decisions that set them apart, driving innovation and technical excellence whilst adhering to or exceeding the regulatory requirements.”
Our Network
Josh and Niall aren't the whole story.
We work with a wider network of specialists in true knitwear, footwear, leather goods and accessories, home and furniture, logistics, sustainability and life cycle assessments, and other environmental disciplines - so if your project needs expertise beyond ours, we already know who to bring in.
