New boss of Harris Tweed mill is definitely not run-of-the-mill

FOR generations it was associated with hard-wearing men's jackets. Now, designer Ann MacCallum may be about to change the image of Harris Tweed after becoming the first woman in the history of the 168-year-old industry to be appointed to run a mill producing the famous fabric.

She has taken over as general manager of the Carloway Mill, which is operated by Harris Tweed Textiles, based on the west side of the Isle of Lewis. The new mill boss has used the fabric in her own designs, including a white Harris Tweed dress and coat for the singer Alyth McCormack's wedding last year.

"Harris Tweed Textiles produces tweeds for all kinds of clothes and outerwear, for hats, accessories and, more recently, for the ladies' fashion market," Ms MacCallum said.

"However, as we progress more into the ladies' market, the interiors market is picking up too. People do recognise the quality of the tweed in interiors."

Ms MacCallum, 48, played down the uniqueness of being a woman in charge of a tweed mill but conceded she had heard that her appointment had already raised a few eyebrows.

"The fact that I'm a woman is irrelevant. It is just an accident of birth. I may be the first mill boss but this whole industry was pretty much founded by Catherine Murray, the Countess of Dunmore.

"And we also have, in Lorna Macaulay, the first woman as chief executive of the Harris Tweed Authority. Maybe that is all too much for some people but that is how it is."

Ms MacCallum is the former manager of Woolworths in Stornoway. She has also worked for Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Asda, C&A and Marks & Spencer. Her husband works at the local island hospital.

She said: "I have always been a woman but I've still somehow managed to do my job. I am very organised and some people may say I am ruthless but I do understand what my customers are looking for.

"That is about my background, not about being a female. I don't see it as being a help or a hindrance. While it's true no other woman has done this job before, maybe there is a reason for that.

"It is a tough job, there is no doubt about that, and it is going to get a lot tougher as we grow the business."

She stressed that while it has been one of the most traditionally run industries, Harris Tweed is not unique in its domination by men.

"Most businesses are male-orientated and maybe that's to do with opportunity more than anything else. I just happened to be in a position to be able to do this job when the opportunity came up. It is the culmination of, and a combination of, the many other jobs I have done in the past. I think I am more suited to do this job now than I have been at any time in the past."