Better Cotton’s future is shaped by the Better Cotton Council, an elected board that drives cotton towards a truly sustainable future. The Council sits at the centre of the organisation and is responsible for our strategic direction. Together, the 12 Council members shape the policy that ultimately helps to fulfil our mission: to help cotton communities survive and thrive, while protecting and restoring the environment.
Our Council also establishes any groups or committees that could help achieve our aims. There are two permanent committees in place: the Executive Committee and Finance Committee. There is also a Nominations Committee established during each election round to oversee fair and transparent elections.
How is the Council formed?
The Council consists of elected and appointed members. The General Assembly, made up of 2,100+ Better Cotton Members, elects two representatives from each membership category to the Council. Council members are drawn from the organisations and companies that represent the four major Better Cotton membership categories: retailers and brands, suppliers and manufacturers, producer organisations and civil society.
Each category has up to three seats, two elected and one nominated by the existing Council. This enables us to make sure we have the right people for the job and ensures we’re harnessing diverse talents in an inclusive way. Once the elected and nominated members are determined, the Council can appoint up to three additional independent Council members for an expert external view.
Meet the Council Members
Civil Society
Solidaridad
until 2022
Isabelle Roger
Secretary
PAN UK
until 2024
Rajan Bopal
Producer Organisations
Auscott
until 2026
Bob Dall’alba
Supima
until 2024
Marc Lewkowitz
Chair
Rural Business Development Centre (RBDC) (until 2024), Pakistan: Shahid Zia
Suppliers & Manufacturers
OLAM Agri
until 2026
Ashok Hegde
Anandi Enterprises
until 2024
Louis Dreyfus Company
until 2024
Pierre Chehab
Independent
Amit Shah
until 2022
Treasurer
2022 Council Election Result
The most recent Council election took place in June 2022, when the Better Cotton General Assembly voted for new Council representatives. The new Council Members will commence their duties in September 2022.
Retailers & Brands
IKEA | Arvind Rewal
Walmart | Gerson Fajardo – Gerson has been nominated to the second elected seat on the Council until the next election in June 2024
Suppliers & Manufacturers
Olam Agri | Ashok Hegde – Ashok will share the role with his colleague Mahesh Ramakrishnan
Producer Organisations
Auscott | Bob Dall’alba
Other changes
PAN UK | Rajan Bhopal took over Council duties from Keith Tyrell
