As we approach the end of the year, ILM invited three leather industry leaders to discuss the hottest topics of 2021 in the last episode of View from the Top of 2021.

In this one-hour special episode of the official ILM podcast, Deputy Editor Tom Hogarth is joined by PrimeAsia CEO Jon Clark from New Hampshire in the U.S., Pittards Ethiopia Managing Director Tsedenia Mekbib from Addis Ababa and ILM columnist and Leather Naturally spokesperson Dr Mike Redwood from the West of England.

Covering sustainability, COP26, leather alternatives, supply chain concerns, Covid-19’s effect on the industry and much more, listen now to find out how these three leather experts coming from different geography’s sum up just how turbulent this year has been, and what we can expect going forward into 2022.

The episode is live now, and is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Deezer or wherever you get your podcasts.

Who are the podcast guests?

Jon Clark

Jon Clark is CEO of the PrimeAsia Leather Company. He has worked in the leather industry for over three decades, spending his first 10 years at Prime Tanning before joining PrimeAsia as President of Global Marketing in 2002. As CEO of PrimeAsia, Clark has directed global expansion with a strong focus on innovation, security of supply and quality while making sustainability and global compliance cornerstones of the company.

Tsedenia Mekbib

Managing Director of Pittards Ethiopia, Tsedenia Mekbib joined the company in 2011 before setting up the first glove factory in Ethiopia and the first cut and sew operation for Pittards. Starting with one factory and 50 employees, she has grown the operation to four factories and a tannery, now employing over 1,000 people.

Dr Mike Redwood

Dr Mike Redwood is a spokesperson for Leather Naturally and a regular columnist for ILM. Over the past few decades, he has held a number of senior positions in the industry, starting as a technician, subsequently in general management and finally focused on marketing and innovation.

Check out the podcast
To listen to or free-to-download the latest episode of View from the Top, head to the episode page. You can also find our podcast on Spotify, Deezer and Apple Podcasts.

Each episode of ILM’s podcast series is designed to appeal to all parts of the leather supply chain, including tanners, traders, suppliers, academia and research organisations, OEMs, brands, and retailers.