Barry Clarke unanimously elected as BCI chairperson

Clarke has specialisation in strategic planning for multi-stakeholder sustainability initiatives including the Sustainable Agriculture Network and the ISEAL Alliance. The BCI Council is elected by BCI members and is responsible for ensuring the organisation has a clear strategic direction and policy to fulfil its mission of making global cotton production better for the people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in, and better for the sector’s future. Council members are organisations representing the four membership categories (Retailers and Brands, Suppliers and Manufacturers, Civil Society and Producer Organisations), supplemented by up to three additional independent members.

“I am honoured to have been elected by the Council to serve as chair of the BCI. I would like to thank Susi Proudman for all her hard work and look forward to building on the successes we have already achieved. It is an exciting time for the initiative as we are in a period of rapid expansion to mainstream cotton production. I look forward to collaborating with my Council members, BCI staff, and our partners to ensure that BCI supports and facilitates the development of cotton farmers globally,” said Clarke, who was previously the chairperson of Save the Children UK and the International Save the Children Alliance.

Further, Phil Townsend has also abeen unanimously elected as the vice chairperson of BCI Council. Phil Townsend is responsible for developing specialist knowledge for sourcing sustainable raw materials within M&S. With over 20 years experience at M&S he works with the Plan A team, leading the development and implementation of the key raw material strategies. He also works to develop sustainable supply chains from farm to store - including traceability, dye-house efficiencies and compliance, and creating innovative and sustainable products. (RR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India