Piers Thomas works at the intersection of elite sport, technical clothing and performance innovation, supporting athletes and teams in high-consequence environments where comfort, mobility, thermoregulation and reliability directly affect results. Across roles including Interface Innovator, Concept Accelerator, and Performance Apparel Specialist, he develops practical performance solutions by translating athlete insight and competition requirements into testable garments and equipment interfaces.
Recent work includes leading elite clothing performance strategy for the Swedish Olympic Sailing Team ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, selecting, adapting and customising sponsor-supplied clothing and designing, pattern-cutting and sewing 25+ bespoke or modified garments across five Olympic sailing classes. At the English Institute of Sport (2012–2020), he created performance interfaces across multiple Olympic and Paralympic sports, contributing to programmes that delivered 200+ Olympic medals (including 30+ Gold and 5+ Silver). In 2021–2022 he led technical clothing transition work for INEOS Grenadiers, including supplier due diligence, athlete test systems, and the curation and evolution of the rider clothing system.
In pro cycling, he was embedded with Team Sky (Rapha), leading innovation projects spanning aerodynamic pattern design, textile research and wind tunnel testing. In cricket, he designed and delivered a bespoke stealth glove system for the England Cricket Board, customising sponsor-supplied gloves for squad use during the World Cup.
Subsequent to this experience, Piers Thomas founded Elite Textile Interface, bringing together decades of work across performance apparel and product development in elite sport.
Elite Textile Interface brings together a dedicated team of aerodynamic specialists and experienced garment manufacturers, combining applied research with production capability.
The organisation operates as a technical partner within existing sponsorship structures, enhancing results and brand value through education, innovation and high-performance products. Using 3D scanning, textile science and CFD, Elite Textile Interface optimises the interaction between the athlete, equipment, team, brand and weather to unlock competitive advantage.