Doctorate in tweed style

Mark has been part of the Harris Tweed Hebrides team since the company’s inception in 2007 and is closely identified with its success in widening the fabric’s appeal to younger fashion markets and working with Scottish designers.

In addition to his Harris Tweed Hebrides role, Mark has worked with both the design and international branding students at GCU and is part of an Erasmus project developing sustainable fashion employability skills.

A member of the Advisory Council to the Campaign for Wool, he has been a longstanding advocate of sustainability in fashion and textiles – a cause with which the Harris Tweed industry is now closely associated.

Lorna MacAulay, chief executive of the Harris Tweed Authority, said: ‘The board members and staff at the Harris Tweed Authority warmly congratulate Mark on this well deserved recognition. Mark has been for many years a great friend of the HTA and an outstanding ambassador for our industry, at home and abroad.

“In carrying out his work for Harris Tweed Hebrides, Mark never misses an opportunity to reinforce to their global clientele the important role of the HTA and our industry’s collective brand protection message. We have greatly appreciated his support and look forward to continuing this in the important trading seasons ahead of us”.

Harris Tweed Hebrides chairman, Brian Wilson, said: “This is well-earned recognition for a good friend and colleague. Mark has made a great contribution to the company from day one as well as to the industry in general, helping to open up new markets and forging great collaborations with other high-end brands”.

Mark Hogarth said: “GCU is a great institution which draws most of its students from the west of Scotland but has a great international buzz to it and has had the vision to create fashion and design campuses in London and New York, as well as Glasgow”.

The award ceremony will be presided over by the University’s chancellor, Annie Lennox.