ETI appoints UK Environmental Audit Committee’s Mary Creagh as chair

Mary Creagh has been appointed as the next head of the Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI).

Mary Creagh, the new ETI head, is widely known in government for her service as chair of the Environmental Audit Committee.

Creagh, according to ETI, has a thorough grasp of UK, EU, and international climate change policy, as well as sustainable development policy and reporting frameworks. Creagh has 22 years of experience as an elected politician at the local, national, and international levels, serving as a Government Minister, Shadow Secretary of State at three departments, and Select Committee Chair, and now combines roles in business consulting, charitable work, and Cranfield University teaching.

In 2019, she was a key figure in the Fast Fashion Inquiry, which asked the government to pass laws requiring fashion firms and retailers to do due diligence checks across their supply chains and take greater responsibility for the environmental effect of their operations.

The inquiry came following a probe into the health of the British fashion sector at the end of 2018.

16 fashion retailers, including M&S, Next, Primark, Debenhams, and online apparel retailers such as Missguided, Asos, and Boohoo, were quizzed by MPs about what they were doing to reduce the environmental and social impacts of the clothing they sell, amid concerns that the so-called ‘fast-fashion’ business model encourages over-consumption and waste.

According to ETI, Creagh was chosen to lead the organization “at a time when vulnerable workers in global supply chains require more help than ever to guarantee that their rights are upheld.”

Peter McAllister, ETI’s executive director said that they’re happy to welcome Mary as their new Chair at ETI. Mary’s extensive expertise in both the policy environment, designing and supporting inclusive programs, and broader sustainable development will be a valuable tool in assisting ETI in addressing current problems and enhancing our impact on workers in conjunction with their members.

Creagh added that he is happy to be appointed as ETI’s Chair and looks forward to working with the staff, Board, members, and wider stakeholders to better the lives of workers all around the globe. With supply chains and working conditions under strain, is looking forward to creating national and international policy to guarantee that all workers have dignity at work.