Carry Somers

Carry Somers is a pioneer in Fair Trade in the UK. She is the creator of the fashion and accessories brand Pachacuti, founded in 1992 and co-founder of Clean Slate, the UK's first fair trade and organic school uniform company.

Pachacuti is best known as the only supplier of the Fair Trade Panama Hat. Working with co-operatives eliminates the intermediaries involved in the production process and enables the weavers to retain more of the value of the finished hat.

Carry Somers is known for her social development work both in the UK and overseas.UK. She was instrumental in Ashbourne becoming a Fair Trade Town and in the adoption of the Local Reward Scheme for independent shops inAshbourne. Pachacuti provides vocational training to placement fashion and textiles students from the University of Derby which includes funding trips to South America to see their designs being made.

Carry is a Business Language Ambassador, teamed with Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in order to raise awareness of the importance of language skills. She is one of the Government’s Women’s Enterprise Ambassadors and was in direct consultation with Margaret Hodge at the planning stage of this scheme which encourages the female entrepreneurs of the future.

International social development work has included capacity building, design training and support for community groups and co-operatives throughout the Andes, building a grocery store to improve levels of nutrition in a rural community in Ecuador, funding rent and food for Alcoholics Anonymous for a year in Ecuador and paying pensions, medical and funeral expenses for weavers. A current project is the establishment of a school for Arts & Skills in Ecuador. This is an apprenticeship scheme for young people to help to stem migration from rural areas.

She is co-author of the book Working Ethically which helps business owners to find an ethical strategy which will benefit their suppliers, community and environment. [ [http://www.acblack.com/Catalogue/details.asp?sku=1424509&dept%5Fid=16 Clifford et al. (2007) Working Ethically, A&C Black] ]

Background

Carry Somers was born in Seaton, Devon in 1966 and attended Colyton Grammar School. After completing a degree in Languages and European Studies, she took a Masters in Native American Studies. It was whilst researching the changes in textile production in the Andes, that she came across two producer groups who had experienced arson attacks and began to create designs in order to provide them with access to market. A planned PhD in natural dyes was put on hold and she began to work with more groups of marginalised, rural producers in the Andes. By 2008 she was supporting over 700 weavers, embroiderers, knitters, felt-makers and milliners in Ecuador,Peru and Bolivia. Sales have been used to fund community development projects such as building a grocery store and support for alcoholics and their families.

Carry Somers met her American husband in Ecuador as a result of 9/11. She had flown to Ecuador on 9/11 with her daughter, Sienna, and her future husband, Mark Rogers, was due to fly out but his flight was cancelled. Mark Rogers is a sculptor and his work was exhibited several times at the White House when Bill Clinton was president.

Business Accomplishments

2008 Finalist in the WEBA Ethical Entrepreneur Award; Winner of the Derbyshire Business Awards Commitment to the Community

2007 Invited to meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace on 14th February in recognition of her significant contribution to UK business. The reception was held to recognise the achievements of the UK's top businesswomen who have made it to the top by their own efforts. Winner of the FSB British Small Business Champions Ethical Award; East Midlands winner of the Edge award which recognises employers who have provided outstanding learning opportunities for young people; Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts; interviewed on BBC Radio 4s Woman's Hour [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/03/2007_25_tue.shtml Woman’s Hour interview] ]

2006 Winner of the award for the best growing business in the Country Living Enterprising Rural Women Award which recognises excellence in rural-based businesses.

References