VENURI TENNEKOON

Textile technologist and design graduate with advanced fabric-quality expertise and hands-on experience across UK and Sri Lankan textile supply chains, including Stephen Walters, Sudbury Silk Mills, MAS Holdings and Tee Jay Lanka. I have practical knowledge of how textiles are designed, constructed, sourced, costed, manufactured and quality-assured, providing a strong technical foundation for sustainable textile management, chemical management, verification and supply-chain risk assessment.

My experience has developed a strong interest in zero-waste management and resource efficiency within the textile industry, particularly how material selection, fabric quality, production processes and end-of-life considerations can influence waste. I am interested in identifying opportunities to reduce unnecessary material consumption, improve material traceability, extend textile lifecycles and support more responsible production practices.

I have researched ethical and sustainable manufacturing practices, assessed traditional and modern production methods on-site, and developed costing models for wholesale and retail. My commercial experience includes maintaining textile archives and sample-card systems at Sudbury Silk Mills, as well as digitising and managing design databases for Stephen Walters and Humphries Weaving, strengthening my understanding of specification control, documentation and informed material sourcing.

Alongside my textile experience, I train and mentor peers and work-experience students and am actively developing my formal knowledge of chemical management, sustainability standards and verification. I am looking to build on my technical textile background and progress into sustainability, zero-waste management and responsible production within the UK textile industry.

• Sarah, Sherry, Design Manager, s.sherry@sudburysilkmills.co.uk, +44 1787 372266, Stephen Walters LTD
• Steve, Harris, Manufacturing Manager, s.harris@sudburysilkmills.co.uk, Sudbury Silk Mills