Meet the experts.
Our people share your passion and ambition for perfection. We’ve amassed a team of specialists within the wool, spinning and yarn industry with an inexhaustible dedication to delivering the best products and services at all times and we like to think that’s why we are still going strong after over 100 years.
Meet the experts.
This commitment to delivering the very best products each and every time is complemented by their understanding of what is needed to get the job done based on insight and real hands-on experience. With an eye for design and detail, complemented by a keen understanding of manufacturing techniques and cost efficiencies, the team behind the Laxtons name are able to provide a subtle blend of creative, craft and commerce.
James Laxton
Owner & Managing Director
With a wealth of experience, and the fourth generation of the family to be involved in the business, James is proud to take Laxtons forward and is continuously looking for ways to improve through new projects, product development and fresh ideas.
Having actually worked in the mill, and experienced first-hand all aspects of fancy yarn manufacturing, from raw material selection, through yarn processing and quality control, James has an all-round knowledge that is second to none, a skillset that has proved to be crucial in managing a successful manufacturing company.
A keen hockey player (albeit now a veteran) he enjoys playing and coaching and loves walking in the countryside and the surrounding moors with his family and their dog, Annie.
Paulius Ramanauskas
Operations Manager
A passionate and committed individual, Paulius has become a valuable member of the team over a relatively short period of time.
He is a practical person and has gained a massive amount of experience with his willingness to learn and embrace new ideas. Paul’s expertise in wool and yarn processing is invaluable to the continued success at Laxtons.
His creative, problem solving, and ‘can-do’ approach is an important asset and closely reflects the philosophy of Laxtons as a business.
In his spare time (of which he has very little) he enjoys spending quality time with his young family.
Carly Smith
Head of Sales & Marketing
A proven leader with valuable experience across the textile industry.
Carly is innovative and resourceful in developing new approaches to top-line growth and bottom-line enhancement.
Both driven and dependable, she is passionate about nurturing results-focused teams and functions.
In her spare time Carly likes to spend time with her 3 young children but with dance competitions and Rugby matches
she is as busy outside of work as she is inside of work.
Meet the commercial team.
Our commercial team is a highly organised and passionate arm to the Laxtons offering and are here to help as little or as much as needed. They have numerous years’ experience in the industry and are capable of ensuring the highest standards and requirements are honoured. Get in touch directly for a chat!
Emma Kulesza-Brosnan
Sales Support
In addition to her invaluable organisational skills, Emma’s willingness to learn new things and take on challenging new projects has led to her becoming a vital member of the commercial team.
Quick to learn the many nuances of the textile industry, her understanding a variety of end uses and what it takes to service these markets, has resulted in Emma playing an ever more important role within the business.
As a very structured individual she keeps the rest of the team in check and on task.
Emma loves to keep fit and live a healthy lifestyle, and when not out and about enjoying time with her family she can be seen ‘hanging out’ on the monkey bars at the local gym.
Lauren Corby
Digital Marketing & E-Commerce Executive
Driven by a deep enthusiasm for marketing and business growth, Lauren made a significant career shift from sales account management.
When she’s not overseeing our E-Commerce platforms or tending to our social media presence, Lauren is diligently pursuing a degree in Business Management in her own time.
During her free time, she dedicates a substantial amount of time to her partner and three stepchildren, often attending football matches for all of them. However, she also loves an autumn afternoon walking her Staffie, Loki or watching a good throwback series (she’s currently watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer!).
Vanessa Yoxall-Golec
Procurement and Production Manager
Vanessa studied Textiles for 12 years, she started at Bradford College in Surface Design and Textiles then went into the industry working in dye houses and earned her Textile Colouration Certificate.
Now focussing on raw materials and production, Vanessa will bring her wealth of knowledge and experience in fibre formation, planning and colour matching to the team.
Vanessa’s hobbies are kickboxing, playing the saxophone and violin along with dog walking with her husband and daughter.
Ross Barr-Hoyland
Sales & Export Executive
A lover of sustainable fashion, Ross’ interest in wool was ignited at young age with his family connection to sheep farming in the Wakefield area. His passion and love of the industry is easy to see and he cannot wait to showcase the best of wool.
Away from wool and fashion, you will often find him on the rugby pitch at the weekend playing for his team the Leeds Hunters or out walking his Cocker Spaniel, Betty.
