Our Team
Jacobswell is managed by Brenda Sheil from the UK and Lydia Gopi in Bangalore. With a long history of working alongside each other, plus complementary skills in fashion design, sales, business management and training, Brenda and Lydia currently oversee a team of 12 production staff in the Jacobswell unit. Read on to learn more about key members of our team!
BRENDA SHEIL
With a background in fashion and design, Brenda began her career teaching Art & Design and Textiles in the UK for over 17 years before taking on a full time position with Jacobswell. Prior to her current role as Managing Director, Brenda was actively involved with the team for many years; she first travelled to Bangalore in the year 2000 to spend six months securing a contract with Levi Strauss for an early group of young Jacobs Well tailors. That short sabbatical was inevitably extended and Brenda set up a three-year professional training and apprenticeship programme for aspiring tailors.
As Jacobswell grew, Brenda developed exclusive high quality products for an in-house fashion label and built up an impressive clientèle who wished to work with an ethical fashion house, providing employment and training opportunities for over 1000 young people from marginalised communities in south India.
Brenda provides extra value to Jacobs Well with her specialist knowledge of design and production in India and UK import procedures and acts as a consultant to a wide number of designers and companies. As a regular advisor to development projects across the globe, Brenda currently divides her time between her home in England and India.
Our producers
Meet some of our passionate producers! They are the beating heart of our fair trade fashion house in Bangalore. To read more about our team, check out our blog for all the latest news and achievements.
AMMU
Ammu was orphaned along with her siblings at an early age; taken in by their grandmother the family struggled financially with little household income. Leaving school after only completing 8th Standard, Ammu became very ill with tuberculosis. When she had started to regain her health, a family friend introduced Ammu to Jacobswell where some light work was found for her and she was supported in paying her medical bills. It soon became evident that Ammu had a passion for design and embroidery and so was encouraged to create her own designs. These were so successful that her ideas were adopted in a production range of bags.
Today, Ammu’s health is a lot better and she is motivated and passionate in her work. For many years she has created intricate embroidery pieces for a couture bridalwear client, and her English language skills are testament to her persevering nature. With a sustainable income allowing her to rent her own home, Jacobswell has also supported Ammu in returning to school several hours a day to complete her 10th Standard qualifications, opening the door to many further professional opportunities. Ammu is a credit to Jacobs Well and it has been fantastic to see her flourish since joining the team.
“I thoroughly enjoy the stitching, packing and embroidery aspects of my job and have been told that I am a very quiet and efficient worker. Jacobswell takes care of me and provides me with medical, emotional and spiritual help. Since being at Jacobs Well I have learnt to speak English and have worked on wedding dresses for one of the clients. I am now confident about myself… Jacobswell helps me to remain strong.”