Prashant is Vice President of Fashion (Textile and Apparel) practice of the Consulting Division of Technopak. He is based in Technopak’s Gurgaon office (National Capital Region of New Delhi). He joined the firm in March 2004, and today he heads the Fashion Practice at Technopak.

Prashant has over 17 years of experience in strategy and operations consulting, with domain expertise in fashion (textile and apparel), retail and consumer products, and on-the-ground experience in Asia, Europe, Africa and North America.

At Technopak, Prashant has managed various projects like growth strategies, entry strategies, JVs, project implementations and M&A, etc. for the leading national and international companies. Prashant has managed big government and institutions projects in the textile and apparel industry in India.

Before joining Technopak, Prashant was involved in setting up of projects in entire value chain from spinning till garments. He has also worked as sourcing head of a reputed export based company in India and has also handled complete supply chain in retail set–up for an upcoming brand.

Prashant is an MBA from Institute of Management Studies (IMS) Indore (1993-95) and B. Tech. (Textile) from Technological Institute of Textile and Sciences, Bhiwani (1987-91).

Ghassan Arab

Managing Director and Chairman, Multiline Textil GmbH

Ghassan Arab is the managing director and chairman of the Multiline Group. Founded in the late 1890`s in Syria through his grandfather as a pure weaving company, Mr. Arab transformed Multiline in three decades into a global operating vertical integrated production company. The company sells its goods to more than 52,000 stores in 35 European countries and employs about 50,000 people worldwide, making Multiline the 3rd biggest garment supplier in Germany. In his constant thinking for innovations, future trends and needs, Ghassan Arab does not forget his social and environmental responsibility towards society.

Since 2006 he is a permanent member of the President Bill Clinton Global Initiative and is encouraged into several projects to improve production standards in his own and partner factories. In his opinion social, ecological and economical standards have to be fulfilled to receive, produce and distribute products in a manner that all parties are satisfied the best way.

Bennett R. Baird

MSI LLC

Dr. Baird received his PhD in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State University in 1970. He enjoyed his 33-year career with the Dupont Company before forming his own research and consulting company in 2003. During his years with Dupont, Dr. Baird held a range of senior R&D and management positions, predominantly in research and development but flavored with several assignments in manufacturing and marketing. He worked in all of Dupont’s textile fiber businesses; and over the past six years, has conducted extensive research into cotton textile processing.

Development of products and technologies for improved environmental performance has been a frequent focus of Dr. Baird’s research, both at Dupont and now in his current company, MSI LLC. Several significant contributions from his research teams include pioneering the use of air infiltration barriers, like Dupont’s Tyvek®, to reduce energy loss from houses and other buildings; identifying new products for improved thermal insulation; and developing new dyeing processes requiring less water, energy and chemicals.

Dr. Baird has published a number of papers, including co-authoring Polyamide Fibers in the Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology; and has chaired, moderated, and spoken at a number of international symposia. He has held several positions with the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, including Publications Chair and member of the Executive Committee.

Bruce Bergstrom

Vice President of Vendor Compliance, Li & Fung

Mr. Bruce Bergstrom is the Vice President of Vendor Compliance at Li & Fung based in Hong Kong and is responsible for labor, health and safety, and environmental standards.

Li & Fung is the world’s leading consumer goods supply chain management company, managing the supply chain for retailers and brands worldwide. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the Group services its customers globally through a sourcing network of over 80 offices in more than 40 economies.

Bruce has been with Li & Fung for ten years. In addition to his duties of supplier governance, management and development, he is also responsible for championing and integrating sustainability into Li & Fung’s global operations. Bruce works very closely with Li & Fung’s many customers to support and contribute to the ongoing development of their sustainable supply chain strategies.

Prior to working at Li & Fung, Bruce worked for Bureau Veritas, where he was Operations Manager in their Consumer Products Inspection Division in Hong Kong. He holds an MBA degree from the University of New South Whales in Australia and is currently pursuing a PhD in Business Administration at the University of South Australia. Bruce has lived and worked in Asia for 19 years and has travelled extensively throughout region.

Willie Beuth

Founder, 3p Institute for Sustainable Management

Willie Beuth is 65 years old and of German nationality.

After studies of Business Administration he moved to Italy in 1967 becoming a business and marketing expert in the textile and garment sector going through all relevant management functions within the entire supply chain and vertical setups. After working for global enterprises in the textile and apparel worldwide he started his third career as an entrepreneur in 1982 launching the development, marketing and distribution of textile colour codification systems.

End of the Eighties trade and industry were looking for solutions when the first wave of environmental awareness in textiles and apparel started. Together with some friends he founded the ‘eco-tex Consortium’ in Cologne launching the still unique Monitoring System that assures environmental and social performance basing on traceability along the complete productive supply chain.

Logical consequence was the development and implementation of the first integrated management system in 1998 covering environmental, social and quality requirements in use mainly in Japan among the top market players.

In 2003 he initiated the ‘3p Institute for Sustainable Management’ implementing worldwide tailored performance management solutions in several industry sectors such as apparel & textiles, toys, electronics, aquaculture and primary food.

Don Cameron

Vice President and General Manager, Terranova Ranch Inc.

Don Cameron is a member of Cotton Council International’s Board of Directors. Since 1981, Don has been the vice president and general manager of Terranova Ranch Inc, a 5,500-acre farming operation in Helm, CA, about 25 miles southwest of Fresno. The farm has a mix of conventional, organic and biotech crops ranging from organic Pima cotton, sage seed, sweet corn and biotech corn to alfalfa and pima cotton along with a wide range of other annual and perennial crops. In addition, Don owns and farms Prado Farms, located in Fresno County and amounting to 450 acres.

Among industry organization positions he has held are: chairman, California Planting Cotton Seed Distributors; chairman, California Tomato Growers Association; chairman, California Cotton Growers Association; director, Supima Association; director, National Cotton Council; and president/chairman, The Cotton Foundation.

Don is a graduate of Fresno State University with a degree in Biology. He is married and has two adult children.

Robin Cornelius

Executive President of the Board, Switcher

After running Switcher for 27 years, Robin Cornelius, a well-known personality in Switzerland, hands over his position as CEO in order to concentrate on the strategic operations of the company as Executive President of the Board. It is Robin Cornelius who turned Switcher into what it is today: a leading company in the domain of social responsibility. He will continue to devote himself to the traceability of products and lead various other projects such as writing a book.

“The consumers in the near future deserve to know under which circumstances a fiber and a product are developed and what are the stages of the production chain”, explains Robin Cornelius. This traceability and transparency is made possible by the following website: www.respect-code.org.

Switcher gives priority to the use of natural and recyclable materials and guarantees respect for the working conditions of all employees throughout the entire production chain.

It was in 1981 during his studies in business (HEC) and in Political Sciences at the University of Lausanne that Robin Cornelius hit upon the idea of what was later to become the Switcher brand. It all began with a first collection containing only 2 items: a T-shirt and a sweat shirt. Robin wanted quality products that were colourful and respectful for any family budget.

“One should have both, a short term view, (business oriented), and a long term view, (political strategy), in order to master a sustainable vision!”

Awards

Corporate Conscience Awards 2002 Social Accountability International NY: Application of the SA 8000 standard at Switcher India (Prem)
Sustainable Asset Management: Switcher received the Pioneer SAM 2004 prize, a prize that rewards pioneers in sustainable development.
Entrepreneur of the Year 2005: On 21 October 2005, Robin Cornelius was awarded the Swiss “Entrepreneur Of The Year” prize established by Ernst & Young. The jury was particularly impressed by the fact that, day after day for the past 25 years, this executive manager has proven that commercial success is not incompatible with a production process that embraces ethical, moral, social and ecological principles.
2006 Swiss Awards: Robin Cornelius was nominated for the Swiss Awards 2006 in the category economy.

David Hasanat

Chairman and CEO, Viyellatex Group

David Hasanat is the Chairman and CEO of Viyellatex Group in Bangladesh. A business graduate, David Hasanat started his apparel business in 1996 and extended to backward linkage industries in fabric and spinning mills in 2001-2004. Viyellatex Group is now a fully vertical industry and is one of the largest and fastest growing companies in Bangladesh with annual turnover of over US$150 million.

In this short period, David Hasanat has achieved many recognition including "Business Person of The Year" 2007. Viyellatex Group received “Corporate Social Responsibility Award” 2008 sponsored by the Standard Chartered Bank.

Peter Johnson

Product Steward, Huntsman Textile Effects

Born and educated in the UK (Cardiff and Manchester Universities), Peter Johnosn worked in a textile printing company until 1989 reaching the ‘giddy heights’ of Print Dept. Manager.

But even in those prehistoric days, the textile industry was moving east, the mill was closed and he joined Ciba-Geigy in Manchester; moved to Basel in 1993. In what should have been an 18 month job rotation, he is still there after 16 years. Initially appointed as ‘technical expert’ for printing, first of all for UK and then eventually with global responsibility.

After many reorganizations (and change of ownership- now part of Huntsman Corporation); since 2005 Johnson is in the Product Environment, Health and Safety Department as Product Steward. His responsibilities include sustainability issues, product stewardship training, checking product offers against Restricted Substance Lists, Oeko-Tex 100, and he is actively involved with bluesign compliance and also GOTS.

Peter is married with 2 (adult) children, and is very settled in Switzerland and considers it ‘home’. His hobbies include walking, skiing, gardening (even have an allotment to grow fruit and vegetables), dancing, cinema, good food, good wine and good company.

Martin Kägi

CEO, Hermann Bühler AG

Mr. Martin Kägi is CEO of Hermann Bühler AG. Bühler operates two spinning mills in Switzerland and Georgia, USA. Mr. Kägi joined the company in 1994. One of his first tasks was the introduction of fine-count organic cotton yarns, long before organic textiles became a large-scale business. Since organic cotton was launched, Bühler became a leading market player in this field and has continuously supported its organic cotton farmers in the U.S. and in other growing areas.

After having accomplished a wide range of tasks in marketing, sales and accounting, Mr. Martin Kägi became CEO and member of the administrative board in the year 2000. Martin Kägi has since then consequently focused the company towards innovation and sustainability. New products like the Rainbow technology, moisture management in 100% cotton or air-jet spinning have been introduced. The production of organic cotton has been expanded and a GOTS-certification has been achieved.
But also general environmental aspects of the company have been continuously improved. As a result, Bühler was among the first textile mills being certified according to Oeko-Tex Standard 1000.

Apart from his functions at Bühler, Martin Kägi is also engaged in several committees of the Swiss Textiles Federation. Mr. Kägi holds a master degree for mechanical engineering from the ETH in Zürich.

Birgit Karpa-Beuth

Managing Director, gsm Global Sustainable Management GmbH

Birgit Karpa-Beuth is Managing Director and associate of gsm Global Sustainable Management GmbH based in Cologne, Germany.

gsm is serving clients such as retailers, industry and associations worldwide in projects on supply chain traceability, product safety, environmental and social compliance.

Before founding the company in 2003, Mrs. Karpa-Beuth worked as a consultant and designed Environmental & Social factory improvement programs.

Until 2001 she worked in Hong Kong as Managing Director in the buying office for a Swiss retailer.

As a graduated Chemical Engineer, she started her career in implementation and awareness building for environmental standards and monitoring programs in the garment and textile industry. She worked mainly with textile and garment factories in India, China, Brazil and Europe.

Marty Matlock

Professor of Ecological Engineering, Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, University of Arkansas

Dr. Marty Matlock is a Professor of Ecological Engineering in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at the University of Arkansas. Dr. Matlock serves as Area Director for the University Of Arkansas Division Of Agriculture Center for Agricultural and Rural Sustainability. He holds degrees in Soil Chemistry, Plant Physiology and Biosystems Engineering, and is a registered professional engineer and a certified senior ecologist. He teaches courses in ecological risk assessment and ecological engineering design.

Dr. Matlock investigates the impact of human activities on ecosystem services, with a focus on watershed-level impacts on water resources, nutrient transport, primary production, benthic biodiversity, and riparian function. He uses systems models and life cycle analysis to identify causal relationships in complex systems.

Dr. Matlock serves as technical advisor to the Keystone Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, is Chair of the Technical Committee for development of the ANSI Standard for Sustainable Agriculture, and serves as sustainability strategy advisor for five international companies. Dr. Matlock works across boundaries to solve complex problems. He provides technical support for USDA FAS in the Mid-East Peace Process and is an Environmental Protection Commissioner for the Cherokee Nation.

Hamish McRae

Principal Economic Commentator, "The Independent" and "The Independent on Sunday"

Hamish McRae is Europe's foremost speaker on future trends in economics, business and societ y. He is the principal economic

commentator of “The Independent” and “The Independent on Sunday”. He is also the author of the acclaimed work on the future "The World in 2020: Power, Culture and Prosperity" first published in 1994 and translated into more than a dozen languages.

His other books include "Capital City - London as a Financial Centre", coauthored with Frances Cairncross, and "Wake-up Japan", co-authored
with Tadashi Nakamae.

His most recent awards are the David Watt Prize for outstanding political
journalism in 2005, Business and Finance Journalist of the Year in the
2006 British Press Awards and Communicator of the Year on the 2007
Business Journalist Awards.

He is a visiting professor at the School of Management at Lancaster
University and a council member of the Royal Economic Society.
He is in demand around the world for his lucid insights into the current
economic situation and how future trends are likely to affect business
and governments.

He was educated at Fettes College, Edinburgh and has an MA in
Economics and Political Science from Trinity College, Dublin. He was
deputy editor of "The Banker" and editor of "Euromoney" before
becoming financial editor of "The Guardian" in 1975. In 1989 he moved
to "The Independent" where he is now associate editor.

Publications

1994 - The World in 2020 - Power, Culture and Prosperity: A Vision of the Future
1985 - Japan´s Role in the Emerging Global Securities
Market
1975 - The Second Great Crash; How the Oil Crisis Could Destroy the World´s Economy
1973 - Capital City: London as a Financial Centre

Liz Muller

Liz Muller LLC

Liz Muller assists organizations implement effective sustainability programs with a focus on identifying and pursuing opportunities to improve sustainability and greater efficiency in agricultural supply chains. Liz’s experience working within a corporation, leading an international initiative, and engaging members throughout agriculture supply chains enables her to provide a unique perspective on how to best address stakeholder concerns in measurable and cost effective ways, while maintaining the support of global brands and supply chain actors. She has experience in food, fuel, and fiber crops.

Liz has over 20 years of experience in the environmental field. As Gap Inc.’s Sr. Environmental Manager for over nine years, she was the primary authority on all aspects of the company’s environmental strategy and programs. Her accomplishments range from conducting the company’s first life cycle assessment and metrics system to implementing water quality and environmental procurement programs, launching organic cotton products and installing a solar array.

On behalf of Gap Inc. Liz had the honor of chairing Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), a multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at enabling millions of farmers around the world to grow cotton in a more sustainable way.

She continues to assist BCI develop a supply chain system to support Better Cotton and was an expert panel member of Roundtable for Sustainable Biofuels, an initiative to establish global sustainability standards for biofuels. Liz has evaluated climate change risks, resilience building opportunities and market drivers in agriculture supply chains for clients such as Oxfam, International Finance Corporation and International Labor Organization. Liz has also acted as Director of Sustainability for a biodiesel company and advises and supports companies such as Virgin America, including writing its first Climate Report.

For additional information, please visit www.lizmuller.com.

Frank Opdenacker

Fabric Finish Engineering Manager, VF Europe bvba

Frank Opdenacker, born on August 1965, has worked for the VF Group since 1994. VF is global leader in lifestyle apparel with a diverse portfolio of jeanswear, outdoor, action sports, imagewear, sportswear and contemporary apparel brands, since 1994. Its principal brands include Wrangler®, Lee®, Riders®, The North Face®, Vans®, Reef®, Eagle Creek®, Eastpak®, JanSport®, Napapijri®, Nautica®, Kipling®, John Varvatos®, 7 For All Mankind®, lucy® and Ella Moss®.

Frank holds a PhD in Analytical & Inorganic Chemistry at the KUL University of Leuven. Having a chemical background, he started his career in textiles at the VF Europe division, where he started as a chemical engineer in the Jeanswear product development department.

His first steps into the denim world started with the study & review of the entire chemical processes involved in the jeans wet garment processing. Shortly after, he continued this road setting-up and managing international projects between VF Jeanswear Europe, a few of its major denim fabric suppliers and a mutual chemical supplier to both Industries, this in order to work on common areas of interest such as lead-time & cost reduction and innovation.

Currently he manages strategic international Fabric/Finishing Engineering projects for VF Jeanswear Operations and is strongly involved in the process identification, evaluation and preparation of new potential VF fabric supplier mills and contractor laundries worldwide. Being strongly connected with the VF Jeanswear Product Development, Quality & Purchasing departments, his role could be described as an internal consultant.

Apart from the above, Mr. Opdenacker is strongly involved in the management of VF’s öko-tex requirements, playing an advisory roll in VF’s global Restricted Substances Committee and in both Reach & CPSIA requirements. More recently, he became a member of VF Corporation's Corporate Sustainability Advisory Team, which has the challenging roll to align and focus VF coalition efforts globally becoming a more sustainable company.

Abi Rushton

Lead Ethical and Sustainable Sourcing Manager, Tesco UK Clothing

Abi Rushton joined Tesco UK Clothing team 3 years ago. Before joining Tesco UK she had worked for many other UK High St names in both head office and international sourcing roles. She also has hands-on experience of international development having lived and worked in Asia for several years.

Abi worked in Sri Lanka after the 2004 Asian Tsunami as Director for an International NGO dealing directly with affected communities directly and indirectly linked to the clothing supply chain.

She therefore brings a unique combination of experience to the field of corporate responsibility which enables her to implement business change whilst understanding the impact of this on business, individu al workers and communities.

Since joining Tesco, Abi has worked with colleagues across clothing and central policy teams to ensure the highest possible ethical standards in terms of supply chain conditions. She has worked with buying teams to give customers ethical product choices across Tesco Clothing.

Tesco Clothing now offer a full range of organic, Fairtrade and recycled products across men’s, women’s and kidswear as well as supply chain initiatives to tackle environmental impact.

Abi also sits on the Board of the Ethical Fashion Forum. The Ethical Fashion Forum (EFF) is a not for profit network focusing upon social and environmental sustainability in the fashion industry. The EFF mission is to support and promote sustainable practices, facilitate collaboration, raise awareness and provide the tools and resources needed to reduce poverty, reduce environmental damage and raise standards in the fashion industry.

David Sasso

VP of International Sales and Marketing, Buhler Quality Yarns

As the VP of International Sales and Marketing for Buhler Quality Yarns, USA, David’s major focus has been on establishing retail and brand relationships and integrating Buhler into their supply chains as a major contributor in value added apparel.

Prior to Joining Herman Buhler, David held held various positions ranging from production planning, manufacturing, engineering, and sales. With a BS in Textile Management from North Carolina State University David’s background is mostly in yarn spinning, but also includes, weaving, and knitting.

Andreas Streubig

Division Manager of Environmental and Social Policy, Otto (GmbH & Co KG) Hamburg

Andreas Streubig, who was born on 14 may 1968, has worked for the Otto Group (Hamburg), the world's largest mail order company, since 1993.

Four very different jobs have shaped the career of the graduate mathematician. After heading diverse sales projects such as "New Shop Processing" and "Call Center Management", he began, among other things, to reorganise the processes and structures of various group companies from 2001 in the internal business consulting unit. As Senior Consulting Manager, he was also responsible for the operational project management of business process optimisation in teh Hamburg head office.

From the start of 2005, he was responsible for managing the Otto Group's worldwide import organisation as Director of Import Management. In June 2007, he became Division Manager of Environmental and Social Policy. In this function, he manages the group's corporate responsiblity activities.

Andreas Streubig has been a guest speaker at various textile and CR events such as the Deutscher Handelskongress and heads the newly established "Sustainability in Logistics" working gropu of the Hamburg Logistics Initiative.

Allen Terhaar

Executive Director, Cotton Council International

Mr. Allen A. Terhaar is executive director of Cotton Council International (CCI), based in Washington, DC, and is a vice president of the National Cotton Council of America, based in Memphis, Tennessee.

CCI is the export promotion arm of the National Cotton Council of America. With operations in more than 50 countries, CCI is dedicated to increasing exports of U.S. cotton and cotton products. CCI is funded by private contributions from the U.S. cotton industry and also receives funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for export market development. CCI sponsors a wide range of trade services geared to enhancing cotton textile executives' knowledge of U.S. cotton, cotton products and the U.S. industry. CCI also carries out consumer advertising and retail promotions featuring the COTTON USA Mark, and works with spinners, manufacturers and brands to promote quality cotton products at retail.

Prior to joining CCI, Mr. Terhaar served as director of planning and trade policy and then executive director for the U.S. Feed Grains Council. Earlier on, he was an economist with USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and with the Economic Research Service (ERS) in Washington, DC. Mr. Terhaar served in the U.S. Peace Corps in South America in 1970-72.

A native of Minnesota, Mr. Terhaar holds a B.A. in International Development/Economics from the University of Minnesota and an M.A. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Wisconsin. He was a University of Minnesota scholar to Hungary in 1974-75 and was a Fulbright scholar to Poland in 1977-78.

Mr. Terhaar serves as past chairman of the International Forum for Cotton Promotion (IFCP), a group of international private organizations whose goal is to facilitate promotion of cotton product consumption globally. He is also past chairman of the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council, a grouping of 80 associations whose purpose is to promote exports of U.S. products. Mr. Terhaar is a long-standing member of the American Agricultural Economics Association, the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives, the National Peace Corps Association, the Fulbright Association and the National Space Society.

Mike Tyndall

Managing Director of Product Develpment and Implementation, Cotton Incorporated

Mike Tyndall serves as Managing Director of Product Development and Implementation. He is charged with coordinating internal and external technical services and research projects throughout the supply chain from fiber processing to dyeing and finishing.

Mike has a B.S. in Textile Chemistry and a Master of Textile, both from North Carolina State University where he was also an Adjunct Industrial Associate at Textile Extension and Applied Research, College of Textile until 2005. A senior member since 1976 and a past chair of several committees, Mike is the President-elect of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC).

Bart Van der Vliet

Director, EMEA Global Marketing Group at YKK Europe Ltd.

Mr. Bart Van der Vliet is Director of the EMEA Global Marketing Group at YKK Europe. In this role he directs a team of international Key Account Managers and staff involved in marketing and sales of YKK Slide fastening, textile and plastic products to global sourcing European customers/brand holders. His main task is implementing strategies to globally increase YKK’s nomination status and support the globalization efforts of the major brand holders, manufacturers and global importers in the EMEA region.

The YKK Group currently does business in 70 countries through 117 companies with a sales turnover of approx. US$ 5.3 billion from which approx. US$ 2.0 is achieved through sales of fastening products. YKK is a leading company in the slide fastener industry and active many markets such as Apparel, Automotive, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Bags and Furniture.

The Fastening Products Group meets continually changing market needs with three product business divisions - the Slide Fastener Division, the Textile and Plastic Products Division, and the Snap Fastener and Button Division.

Mr. Van der Vliet has worked for YKK since 1994, having had positions as Sales Manager at YKK Nederland and Key Account Manager at YKK Europe. Before re-joining YKK in 2006 he worked four years for Wavin, a leading company in the plastic pi pe industry as Operations manager at Wavin Overseas BV. In 2006 he returned to the textile industry and became the first non- Japanese Managing Director of YKK Nederland.

He is a graduate of NHL University in Leeuwarden The Netherlands where he obtained his Bachelor of Commerce. Mr. Van der Vliet is member of the Business Advisory Board of the International Business and Management Studies at Stenden University in The Netherlands.

Peter Waeber

CEO, bluesign technologies ag

Mr. Peter Waeber, CEO, bluesign technologies ag, is a Chemist and Textile Engineer who has also studied Economics. Mr. Waeber started his career as a Researcher in Chemical Industry. Thereafter, he had been Executive Manager in different Swiss textile mills. He has also rendered his duties as a CEO in printing mill in Switzerland and as a Technical Director and member of board at Schoeller Textiles, Switzerland.

Mr. Waeber had also volunteered as former President of SVTC (Swiss Association of Textile and Chemistry); former member and delegate of council IFATCC (International Federation of Associations of Textile Chemists and Colourists); and Advisory council on environmental and sustainable issues. He is an active part taker in research & development in cutting-edge technologies for textiles and holds several patents in nanotechnology for textiles.

Born 31st December 1951, Mr. Waeber is married, and has one daughter. He enjoys spending leisure time in snowboarding, diving, outdoor, hiking and music (Jazz and Classic) as favourite hobbies.

Jan B. Wellmann

Director, Bremen Cotton Exchange

Mr. Jan B. Wellmann is the Executive Director of the Bremen Cotton Exchange.

BCE is an international cotton association with about 150 members in 30 countries. BCE provides international trading rules including a dispute resolution system and for offers advanced technology for cotton testing and examination.

Mr. Wellmann studied law at the University Göttingen, Germany and during his post-graduate judicial service he was with the German-Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and he studied law at the University of Alberta. After his state examination in Law in Hamburg and his admission to the bar in 1983 he became a partner in a law firm in Bremen.

Since 1986 he is the Director of the Bremen Cotton Exchange and he holds various honorary positions in the cotton business.

Simon Weston

Marketing Director, Fountain Set

Mr. Simon Weston has worked across a number of manufacturing areas from warp knit factories in the UK and the Philippines, to garment businesses in Sri Lanka making products from the UK and most recently for the last 6 years for Fountain Set in their factory in Sri Lanka and for the last two years as Marketing Director based in Hong Kong.

During his time in the factory Fountain Set became Fair Trade accredited and as the first business in the Indian subcontinent were ahead of the curve in supplying the UK with Fair Trade product and remain the largest Fair Trade supplier into Marks & Spencer.

In Hong Kong the areas he looks after include running the Sustainable drive of our whole business – from ensuring compliance with international standards to finding better ways to manufacture that reduce Fountain Set’s businesses foot print. Simon also looks after the R&D of the business and creating the trend books that are published every six months. At the moment Fountain Set is working heavily on the creating of regenerated Cotton products from post industrial waste and are looking to launch the product into the UK by the end of this year and the US in 2010.

Fountain Set is also one of the founding members of the Sustainable Fashion Business Consortium (SFBC) that is made up of the largest garment, fabric, yarn and chemical manufactures who are HK based by China manufacturing. Within the SFBC, we share best practice on all areas of sustainability and compliance and currently are focusing on sharing methods of recycling in the industry and reducing waste of all types.

James Wright

Director, Trimedia

PRCA Consultant of the Year 2008

James Wright is a Board Director at Trimedia UK and heads Trimedia’s International CSR & Sustainability team, incorporating charities, contributing an impressive array of skills and experience. Specialising in CSR and sustainability from corporate, public sector and NGO perspectives, James works on some of the most influential and challenging campaigns. James and his team have won numerous international PR awards for their campaigns – 15 in the past four years.

In 2007 James conceived the CIPR’s Environmental Sustainability Guidelines and chaired a select steering committee that developed them. This guide for PR practitioners was launched in March 2008 and is believed to be the first of its kind in the world, they are devised to help those undertaking sustainability communication.

As part of his role working on World Blood Donor Day 2005 James has been invited to become a communication advisor to the World Health Organisation. James also advised boxing sensation Amir Khan following his success in Athens 2004, including chairing his first ever press conference in front of the world’s media. In 2008 James was named “International CSR Leader” by PR News (US) at their annual All Stars Awards.

James’s experience includes working with BT, Coca-Cola, Costa Coffee, Indesit Company, Jaguar Land Rover, Reebok, Technology Strategy Board (UK government innovation agency), Wrap and World Vision. He also works with the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) on response to global disaster relief.