Donna Booker
Carlton,Yorkshire
Summary
An accomplished Head of Quality with extensive experience leading quality, technical and compliance functions within multi-channel retail and e-commerce environments. Proven in defining and delivering quality strategies that ensure product safety, regulatory compliance and consistent customer standards across global supply chains.
A collaborative and hands-on leader, recognised for building strong teams, strengthening supplier governance and embedding continuous improvement frameworks that protect brand reputation while supporting commercial performance. Experienced in partnering cross-functionally to deliver high-quality products to market efficiently and responsibly.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Quality Assurance Manager Fashion & Homes/ Company Sustainability Officer
FREEMANS GRATTAN HOLDINGS
BRADFORD
01.2020 - 12.2025
- Led enterprise-wide Quality and Compliance strategy across FGH, ensuring alignment with Otto Group CSR standards, UK legislation and internal governance frameworks.
- Owned regulatory compliance across product safety, supply chain, sustainability and ethical trading, including REACH, Modern Slavery and FCA conduct requirements.
- Defined and delivered Quality, Safety and Sustainability KPIs, embedding risk-based assurance and continuous improvement.
- Directed QA and Compliance teams, setting policies, controls and escalation processes to mitigate legal, reputational and commercial risk.
- Partnered with Buying, Design and Merchandising to ensure compliant, commercially viable product delivery to critical path.
- Provided senior technical authority on product liability, audits, investigations and regulatory engagement.
- Designed and implemented a unified Quality & Compliance framework aligned to Otto Group and UK regulatory standards.
- Strengthened supplier governance through onboarding controls, AQL implementation and compliance monitoring.
- Reduced customer quality and compliance issues via enhanced testing, warehouse inspections and returns governance.
- Delivered REACH due diligence, Modern Slavery compliance and ethical sourcing programmes across own-brand ranges.
- Restructured Quality and Compliance functions to support agile ways of working and faster speed to market.
- Improved data visibility and assurance through enhanced returns reporting and PLM adoption (100% supplier compliance).
- Aligned Quality and Compliance processes across Fashion and Home categories to create consistent governance and control.
Senior Product Technologist
NUTMEG CLOTHING/WM MORRISONS PLC
COALVILLE
09.2012 - 01.2020
- Partnered with Buying and suppliers to deliver technically sound, safe and commercially viable ranges, ensuring fit, quality, critical path adherence and cost of quality control.
- Led supplier governance, including factory compliance, childrenswear safety, fabric approvals and implementation of the Supplier Manual and quality procedures.
- Played a senior role in the Nutmeg sustainability programme, delivering BCI Cotton onboarding and packaging sustainability initiatives.
- Deputised for Head of Technical, contributing to category strategy, PLM development and brand launch activity.
- Delivered new brand setup under tight timelines, including block specifications, standard fabrics and working documentation.
- Implemented supplier lab accreditation and closed-loop packaging recycling, driving cost savings and improved compliance.
- Launched an online Supplier Manual and Supplier Risk Assessment training, introduced at Nutmeg’s first supplier conference in India.
Quality Assurance & Ethical Compliance Manager
COHEN & WILKS INTERNATIONAL
LEEDS
03.2002 - 06.2012
- Led UK and offshore Technical and Compliance teams, partnering with Design and Customers to deliver fashionable, technically compliant products to agreed quality, safety and ethical standards.
- Owned end-to-end technical governance, including pre-production, risk assessment, fitting, sealing, construction standards, AQL (2.5) compliance and first production approval.
- Ensured ethical and social compliance across the factory base in line with ETI Base Code, customer policies and local legislation, managing audits, CAPs and Sedex governance.
- Developed and expanded the approved factory base, implementing consistent technical, quality and safety procedures across multiple customer requirements.
- Drove capability building through factory conferences, technologist and auditor training, and implementation of new QA and compliance policies.
- Maintained on-site factory oversight through regular travel, ensuring continuous quality improvement and successful customer audits and visits.
Garment Technical Manager
DEWHIRST CHILDRENSWEAR
HULL & LONDON
07.1997 - 03.2002
- Led the end-to-end technical development of garments for M&S across Babywear, Maternity and Schoolwear, working closely with Design, Customers and Factories to deliver fashionable, technically compliant products to critical path.
- Managed pattern, sampling and production teams, overseeing first fits, grading, contract seals, pre-production, piloting and first production to ensure quality, safety and manufacturability.
- Drove risk assessment, testing and quality assurance activities (including non-iron and specialist finishes), liaising with factories, consultants and customers to improve standards, reduce failures and strengthen working practices.
Garment Technologist for Ladieswear & Childrenswear
LINDSAY ALLAN DESIGNS LTD
TILLICOULTRY
11.1995 - 07.1997
- Led development of Ladieswear and Childrenswear ranges from concept through production, including first patterns, production patterns, fabric and garment testing.
- Partnered with Design and Production to deliver production-ready garments, managing specifications, costings, sizing, fabric and trim sourcing, and identifying new materials through trade shows.
Designer
CASTLEBLAIR LTD
DUNFERMLINE
10.1993 - 10.1995
- Designed Ladieswear and Childrenswear ranges for major UK retailers including M&S PLC, Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Freemans Mail Order.
- Delivered end-to-end technical development, including first pattern cutting, grading and lay planning (Lectra), fabric and trim sourcing, and liaison with customers and manufacturing partners.
Education
BSC - Clothing Studies
SCOTTISH COLLEGE OF TEXTILES
GALASHIELS 09.1989 - 06.1993
Skills
- Quality & Compliance Strategy Leadership
- Regulatory & Ethical Compliance (REACH, Modern Slavery, FCA)
- Product Safety & Risk Management
- Supplier Governance & AQL Implementation
- Audit Management & Corrective Action (CAPs)
- Cross-Functional Stakeholder Leadership
- Continuous Improvement & KPI Management
- Quality Systems, PLM & Data Governance
REFEREES
I would be happy to provide the names of any referees on request.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Interests include Golf, Swimming, including teaching and coaching, travel, reading and music
Affiliations
- Open water swimming and walking, maintaining an active lifestyle. A keen reader with a broad interest in literature, alongside a passion for music and attending live events and festivals.
Timeline
Quality Assurance Manager Fashion & Homes/ Company Sustainability Officer
FREEMANS GRATTAN HOLDINGS
01.2020 - 12.2025
Senior Product Technologist
NUTMEG CLOTHING/WM MORRISONS PLC
09.2012 - 01.2020
Quality Assurance & Ethical Compliance Manager
COHEN & WILKS INTERNATIONAL
03.2002 - 06.2012
Garment Technical Manager
DEWHIRST CHILDRENSWEAR
07.1997 - 03.2002
Garment Technologist for Ladieswear & Childrenswear
LINDSAY ALLAN DESIGNS LTD
11.1995 - 07.1997
Designer
CASTLEBLAIR LTD
10.1993 - 10.1995
BSC - Clothing Studies
SCOTTISH COLLEGE OF TEXTILES
09.1989 - 06.1993