WHO WE ARE
We are on a mission
Why we exist
Cotton is big business. It accounts for almost 24% of all global textile production, and the industry supports more than 350 million livelihoods.
But right now, just 30% of the world’s cotton is classed as ‘sustainable’.
Farming communities face a range of social and environmental challenges, which make it hard to sustain cotton production for the long-term.
Meanwhile, brands and retailers are under increasing pressure to deliver more ethically sourced products that consumers want.
Reimagining the future for supply chains – and securing a sustainable, traceable and transparent supply – is vital.
That’s where CottonConnect comes in.
6 countries
Our work has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in cotton-farming communities across India, Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Egypt and Peru.
25,600 + farmers
have benefited from our Farmer Business School programmes, giving them training in financial literacy and introducing them to new technology, microfinance and credit
Our strategy
We reimagine and innovate to find solutions. Our 2020-2025 strategy, implemented via three pillars of activity, is designed to deliver what the cotton and raw materials industry needs now, and in the future.
PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES
We create resilience and growth
Our local agronomist teams provide farmers with the training, education and tools they need to improve their productivity, income and profitability.
We transform the lives of farmers, and the communities connected to farming, by giving them training on issues such as human rights, gender equality and how to run successful businesses.
BRANDS AND SUPPLY CHAINS
We reform and rethink
We connect the whole supply chain – from farmers and ginners, to weavers and garment producers.
This creates a more transparent and robust supply chain that brands can have confidence and trust in.
INSPIRING AND INNOVATING SERVICES
We reimagine
We are focused on delivering what the cotton and raw materials industry needs now – and in the future.
We create bespoke programmes of activity that meet the needs of the entire supply chain – from farmers to brands. This enables us to be innovative, creative and forward thinking in our work.
Our goals
CottonConnect’s overarching goals are set out below. Achieving these – in our key target areas - underpins our work :
300,000 + women
have taken part in our Women in Cotton programmes, giving them training and education in everything from health and rights to running their own businesses.
Our clients
We are proud to work with a number of leading brands and companies from across fashion, retail and manufacturing. Our clients include:
“We believe in helping brands, suppliers and farmers develop and maintain partnerships that are truly transformational.”
— Alison Ward, CEO, CottonConnect
Our partners
We work in collaboration with a number of partners to create and deliver our programmes. Our partners include:
We help brands and retailers connect with the farmers at the other end of the supply chain.
But our relationships with all links in the chain – from ginners and spinners to garment producers – means we are able to trace garments back from Tier 1 suppliers all the way to the farm.
Our shareholder structure
After 13 years of driving change in global cotton supply chains, CottonConnect has transitioned to a new shareholder structure. After a great partnership, the 50% of CottonConnect that was formerly held by Laudes Foundation (previously C&A Foundation) has been transferred to CottonConnect Trustees Limited – a new structure which has been set up to represent the beneficiaries of CottonConnect’s programmes, including farmers. All decisions made by the trust will ensure that the strategy and programme activities best support the beneficiaries, while the social enterprise will continue to be run by executive management on a day-to-day basis.
CottonConnect will continue to be partly owned by Textile Exchange, the global non-profit driving positive impact on climate change across the fashion and textile industry.
The Trustees are:
Lee Martin, Director
Apoorva Oza, Non-Executive Director
Dr (Prof) Roopinder Oberoi, Non-Executive Director
Our people
We have specialists and experts in agriculture, business and rural management based in our core markets around the world. Get in touch now to speak to the relevant local team.
THE BOARD
Alison Ward
CEO
Alison has worked for CottonConnect since 2013, and has more than 25 years of international experience in sustainability and corporate affairs, shaping system change and translating social impact programmes into commercial value within the FMCG, food and apparel sectors. Alison’s commitment to sustainable supply chains started during her four years at Cadbury where she was Global Head of Corporate Responsibility and pioneered the first mainstream Fairtrade chocolate bar across six commonwealth markets.
Yogesh Bellani
Non-Executive Board Member
Yogesh is an entrepreneur, board advisor, and growth strategist with 25+ years of experience scaling consumer brands in India and globally. As Founder of Uttishta Partners, he brought brands like Pasta Zara, Darbo, and Ybarra to India. A former CEO & Director at Del Monte Foods India, he now advises businesses on strategy and market entry. He has served as Co-Chair at CII (Food & Agri), mentors founders and students, and teaches Strategy & Marketing at leading Indian business schools.
La Rhea Pepper
Chair
La Rhea is a fifth-generation cotton farmer from Texas, US, and former CEO of Textile Exchange, the global non-profit that works to create a more sustainable textile industry. She began farming organic cotton in the early 1990s, and since then has been a key figure in the organic cotton movement.
Robert Smeele
Non-Executive Board Member
Robert has more than 25 years of experience in finance roles in both the public and private sector. He has extensive experience in the charitable sector and has been a member of the Board of Directors, among others, of the COFRA Foundation and the Redevco Foundation. He is also Director of Taxes at Endress & Hauser, based in Switzerland.
SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Kinner Lakhani
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Kinner is a strongly experienced commercial manager, with expertise in sales, account management, operations, strategy, and business development. He has worked with renowned global brands across apparel, footwear, and accessories. He comes from a family of cotton producers and manufacturers, and is highly qualified, with an MBA from SDA Bocconi in Milan, Italy and an Exchange MBA from the Chicago Booth School of Business. At CottonConnect Kinner is responsible for managing key accounts, programme delivery and expansion, and stakeholder relationships.
Abhishek Nambiar
Chief People Officer
Abhishek joined CottonConnect in 2021, bringing over two decades of experience in business strategy, HR governance, risk management, and programme management. He has an MBA in Finance and holds an Advanced Human Resource Management certification from IIM-Ahmedabad. Abhishek is also an expert project management professional with a Master Black Belt. As the Chief People Officer at CottonConnect, Abhishek oversees the entire global HR portfolio and leads the IT and administration functions. His focus is on ensuring that the CottonConnect team remains motivated and aligned with the organisational goals.
Our income sources
CottonConnect Limited’s accounts are filed at Companies House
The company is managed by the Board of Directors, with responsibilities as described in the Articles of Association
CottonConnect Farmer Community Foundation
Enabling better lives
The CottonConnect Farmer Community Foundation supports, develops and empowers communities in rural areas by enhancing health, hygiene, skills, education and opportunity for all.
Find out how we can help
We can support you on your sustainable supply chain journey in a number of ways. Check out our services.