With decades of industry experience he is looking forward to finding new ways to assist members
The Textile Services Association has appointed Andrew Glassford as its new Projects Director.
He has a deep connection to the laundry industry – his parents met at on a laundry technical course at Derby college – and his career has granted him a broad experience of the laundry industry as a whole. He spent 20 years at Paragon Laundry in a variety of roles ending up as Operations Director. He then moved to become a consultant at NewGen, where he offered his expertise on the industry to businesses around the world, helping them to establish best practice where laundry wasn’t their main focus.
“I am seriously impressed with the work of the TSA,” he says. “They provide their members with plenty of resources that would have been incredibly helpful to me and my teams back in the Paragon days, and having the chance to support the industry is something I’m really looking forward to.”
Over recent years the TSA has been focussing on helping the laundry sector evolve in a number of ways, such as meeting its Net Zero commitments, strengthening diversity, improving the culture of health and safety, promoting careers and supporting vital research in collaboration with De Montfort University.
“It’s been a fascinating process rediscovering the industry from a new perspective,” Andrew says. “Some aspects of it are almost unrecognisable compared to when I started. In many ways change is the only constant and I am relishing the chance to work with the team here to support our members with the challenges that the next few years present us.”
One thing that has struck him already is the collaboration that exists within the laundry industry. “There’s a general feeling of collegial competitiveness that could well be our secret weapon. Everyone wants to work together on the important issues, creating a culture where people compete to raise standards rather than to diminish each other,” he says. “Even in the short time I’ve been here it’s impressed me. This eagerness to work together to achieve big goals is very promising.”
Andrew’s aims will be to maintain the momentum behind the TSA’s existing projects and initiatives while identifying new opportunities. In the short and medium terms, he says his key priorities will be safety and sustainability. “There is so much of value happening in the industry,” he says. “So much progress has already been made in so many areas, particularly developing sustainable practices. We are already a circular industry heading into a future where circularity is only going to increase in importance. Our leadership in areas like this can have huge effects throughout the wider economy, due to laundry’s key role in supporting our customer sectors.”
Andrew lives in Gloucestershire with his partner Sarah, their two boys and Hops and Barley, their dogs. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys running, walking and paddleboarding. He has recently discovered a love of climbing and, as his children have gotten older, has been able to rekindle his love of reading.
“We are delighted to welcome Andrew to the team,” says Emma Kiviniemi Wilson, Managing Director of the TSA. “His knowledge of the industry and enthusiasm for developing projects to help it develop will be a huge boon. He’s quickly found his feet here and we’re sure that he’s going to have a positive impact as we continue to find innovative ways to help our members.”
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