S8 E1: Behind every great product, is a product tech with Claire Ward, Senior Product Technologist at Mint Velvet

This week we are joined by Claire Ward- a senior product technologist. This episode is a particularly special one for us. Claire, Kate and Lyns all met right at the very beginning of our careers at Accessorize, learning the ropes of retail together  so recording this felt like a real full-circle moment. We start by reminiscing about those early days before diving into the journey Claire has taken since, building an impressive career across some of the UK’s best-known fashion brands including Accessorize, Debenhams, Dorothy Perkins, Mint Velvet and Hush.

Claire shares how she moved from being a creative student into the world of product technology and explains why the role is far more influential than many people realise. She lifts the lid on what a product technologist actually does day-to-day  from fit, construction and fabric performance to safety testing, compliance and quality assurance  and how they quietly protect both the customer and the business.

A particularly fascinating part of Claire’s journey came when she took a year out after Debenhams to work in Uganda with nonprofit organisation Acoa, which employed Ugandan women to produce jewellery and homeware for the US market. Hired as a product development manager, she quickly discovered she was the only person in the organisation with manufacturing or fashion experience and had to build the role from scratch. Acting as the bridge between US designers and the Ugandan production team, Claire created early samples, refined products for scalable production and introduced more efficient manufacturing methods. From visiting local markets to trace dye sources, to sourcing compliant suppliers in Kampala and investing in tooling for cowhorn craftsmen, the work was deeply hands-on and problem-solving led. 

Claire talks honestly about why tech teams can sometimes be undervalued despite preventing costly mistakes, reducing returns and improving customer trust. Along the way she shares real-world stories from factories in India to Christmas decorations that accidentally became classified as toys, highlighting how problem-solving sits at the heart of the job.

Ultimately this episode is a reminder that behind every great product is a technologist making sure it works, lasts and is safe to sell — often without anyone ever knowing.

Three Key Takeaways

Product technologists are more than fit checkers. They bring expertise in fabric, manufacturing, construction and compliance that can save businesses significant money through reduced returns, improved consumption and stronger quality perception.

Involve tech from the beginning. The strongest products happen when technologists are part of development from day one, working alongside buyers and designers to prevent problems before they become costly mistakes.

Communication and respect are everything. Great buyer-tech partnerships rely on clear communication, mutual respect and understanding each other’s KPIs — when tech stays commercial and buyers listen to risk, everyone wins, especially the customer.

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