Russell has joined Ballyclare after managing his own textile and workwear company for a number of years. “Having been successful in that venture I was looking for a fresh challenge that would take me in a new direction,” he says. “When the opportunity arose to join Ballyclare it was too good to resist. My role is now to work on product development across all the Ballyclare ranges and help make it the number one, go-to name for workwear and PPE.”

Russell is a fellow of the Textile Institute and has worked in the textile industry for more than four decades. “During that time he has worked in many different areas of performance fabrics, including weaving, dyeing, coating and lamination, and so he brings a huge amount of technical expertise to Ballyclare,” adds managing director Carlton Greener.

“He has also worked across many different end user markets, and he has particular expertise in police, fire, ambulance and various other outdoor applications, so he’s a very valuable addition to the Ballyclare team. We’re delighted that he has chosen to join us, and we’re confident that he will help us drive our product development programme on to new heights.”