Green Retail World covered two big changes in retail sustainability jobs this month – at Sainsbury’s and Puma – but there has been a lot of additional activity in the market lately. We’ve rounded up some of the most interesting moves.
You can read about Sainsbury’s appointment of Rhian Bartlett as chief commercial & sustainability officer, here, and Puma bringing in Andreas Hubert as chief operating officer with responsibility for sustainability, here.
Elsewhere, former ESG manager at Reiss, Sarah Kennedy, has taken the ethical trade manager position at fellow fashion retailer ME&EM.
On LinkedIn, Kennedy wrote: “My nearly four incredible years at Reiss has now come to an end.
“I am so proud of all that we achieved in ESG during this time. I’ve learnt an immense amount and loved my time there.”
Meanwhile, long-term New Look sustainability boss Sue Fairley announced she has joined Primark as head of ethical trade for the Europe, Middle East, Africa and Americas regions.
It represents a further strengthening of the Primark sustainability team, underlining its commitment to reducing its impact on the environment, after ex-Asda George sustainability manager Jade Snart arrived at the retailer at the start of the month.
Fairley, who appeared in the same stream as Green Retail World at this year’s Retail Technology Show, said on LinkedIn: “I departed New Look with tears [..] reflecting the bond I have had with this fantastic brand for more than nine years (this time round).”
She referenced “terrific colleagues” and a “high performing team”, saying they were now left in the capable hands of head of sourcing Melissa Craft, senior sustainability manager Katie Pryce and new arrival Louisa Branson.
Justin Porterie has departed Depop, where she held the director of sustainability and DEI role for the last two and a half years. She arrived at the business as a sustainability consultant in 2019 but quickly rose up the ranks.
“After nearly six years, my chapter at Depop has recently come to a close,” she wrote on LinkedIn.
“What started as a coffee with then-CEO Maria Raga for advice on my own resale venture turned into the most pivotal moment in my career. That meeting became a freelance project, then a leadership role, and a wild ride from startup beginnings to a $1.6 billion Etsy acquisition, and global scale.”
She added: “It’s been a privilege to build the impact function from scratch and contribute to shaping a brand so many people love.”
At Marks & Spencer (M&S), the search is on for a head of responsible sourcing & ethical trade, one of the biggest sustainability jobs in the market.
The role is sought to replace Fiona Sadler, a 19-year M&S veteran who is retiring after what the retailer’s talent acquisition partner Amanda Cowie described as a “remarkable career” leading that function of the business.
“Fiona has played a pivotal role in embedding ethical practices and protecting human rights across our global supply chains — and we’re incredibly grateful for her leadership and impact,” Cowie wrote.
“Now, we’re seeking someone to carry that legacy forward and help shape the next chapter of our ethical trading and human rights strategy across our sourcing network.”
[image credit: Green Retail World]
