Meet The Team
Founded by Kate Hills in 2011, Make it British is a small but mighty team of women with a shared passion to help founders and makers thrive.
The Make it British Team
Founder & Industry Powerhouse
Kate Hills
Having been taught to sew by her nan at the age of twelve, Kate has had a passion for fashion ever since. She's worked in the industry for over thirty years on everything from kidswear to mens, womens and leathergoods.
Working at Burberry and M&S in the 1990s when they closed UK factories left a lasting impression on Kate, and she founded Make it British in 2011 as a way of giving something back to the industry.
She lives with her family in a mid-century bungalow in Surrey, and in her spare time loves shopping for vintage clothing and eating curry.
Workflow Guru & Coach
Michelle Pontius
Hailing from Derbyshire, home of the world’s oldest factories, but now residing by the seaside in Essex, Michelle met Kate back in 2017 when working at the Make it British Live trade show and hasn’t left her side since.
Michelle is a trained teacher who understands the importance of accurate tech packs and costings. Spreadsheets and being organised are her bread and butter.
Her idea of a good time is walking in the sea air, sitting in front of her sewing machine and spending time with her partner and two girls.
Community Cheerleader
Emily Harlow
You’ll likely always find Emily with a smile on her face and a keenness to help out wherever she can. With over 5 years of experience in marketing and design, she looks after the members of the Make it British community.
Emily is the team member manning the LiveChat on the website or the DM's of @makeitbritishcommunity on Instagram so make sure to pop by and say hello!
Outside of work, Emily is a vegan foodie and always on the hunt for new hotspots. She also loves nature walks, her houseplants and her cat Mario.