Xiao (Matthew) HU is a professor at the School of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) in Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. He is the Director of the Environmental Chemistry and Materials Centre (ECMC) at Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute (NEWRI) in NTU, and the Co-Director of the recently established RGE-NTU Sustainable Textile Research Centre (SusTex).

He gained his BEng from the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of Tsinghua University, and MSc and PhD from the University of Manchester. He joined NTU in April 1992 as one of the founding faculty members of its Materials Engineering programme. He later served as the inaugural Head of Division of Materials Technology upon the establishment of the School of Materials Science and Engineering, and as its Director of Graduate Programmes.

His main research interests are in functional and performance polymers, multi-functional nano-hybrids and nanocomposites. His group pursues studies on the underlying scientific and engineering principles for new materials design, synthesis, and processing and fabrication for targeted end uses. He has contributed to more than 380 international journal papers and delivered a number of invited, keynote and plenary presentations. He holds more than 20 IP inventions in materials, environment and water technologies, several of which have been licensed or commercialised.

His latest passion is on tackling emerging and perennial challenges concerning sustainability, materials circularity, and environmental health using enabling knowledge of chemical and materials science.

Nicole founded VDE Consultancy, a consulting and advisory firm for companies in the textile and fashion industry. She is a council member of the Singapore Fashion Council, Chair of its Sustainability Steering Committee, and a mentor at Fashion for Good. 

Before starting her own company, Nicole led several projects within the Nike apparel product creation team that shaped her way of working with clients, such as Forum for the Future, Tong Siang/Yeh Group, BluWin, DyStar, and several others.

She continues using her experience and integrated skills with client partners on issues that require both strategy and practical solutions, like the microfibre shedding of textiles. Textile innovation and manufacturing technology are her sweet spots, where she adds expertise and value in reducing the fashion industry's impact.

Nicole, a graduate of the Amsterdam Fashion Institute and an alumnus of INSEAD's Leading the Business of Sustainability, is passionate about creating better products and processes in the fashion industry that leave behind a better planet for future generations.

Dale Warren is the CEO of Life Line Clothing Singapore PTE. LTD., a textile recovery logistics start-up operating in Singapore, and CEO of Life Line Clothing Malaysia Sdn Bhd (LLCM), the only ISO 14001: 2015 Environmental Management Systems Accredited Textiles recycling logistics provider company in Malaysia. LLCM is a logistics company that collects and engages with the community on textiles recycling. LLCM has the largest fixed textiles bin collection points in Malaysia and works with many local authorities, councils, businesses and institutions, community bodies in Malaysia. LLCM services the Malay Peninsula from Selangor to Johor.

Dale considers himself a corporate environmentalist who is passionate about recycling and diverting textiles from landfills in an economically sustainable way. Dale often pushes for the protection of the environment through his role and the company has partnered with various organisations who share the same genuine passion for people and the environment. The activities of the companies in Malaysia generate more than 500,000 RM funding for communities and disadvantage people annually.

Annabelle Leow is Vice President, Investment Group (Innovation) at Temasek. In her role, Annabelle focuses on early-stage investments and looks for companies that are developing disruptive technology globally. She has made early-stage direct investments and fund investments across the US, Europe and Asia. She has worked with management teams from a wide range of sectors including synthetic biology, recycling technologies and software companies through engagement at the board level and as part of post-investment management to help founders as they raise new capital, enter new markets and business development.

Apart from early-stage investments, Annabelle has also been involved in Temasek’s venture debt activity through InnoVen Capital, and set up the Asia focused growth debt fund, EvolutionX Debt Capital, which is jointly owned by Temasek and DBS. She was previously from the Consumer team within the Temasek Investment Group, covering later stage investments in Quick Service Restaurants, FMCG and Direct to Consumer brands.