Better Cotton Appoints Nick Weatherill As New CEO
Better Cotton, the world’s largest cotton sustainability initiative, has named Nick Weatherill as its new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Alan McClay, who led the organisation for the past decade.
Weatherill, formerly Executive Director of the International Cocoa Initiative, brings extensive experience in sustainability and human rights across global supply chains. Based in Geneva, he has also advised organisations such as the International Trade Centre. He holds degrees from the University of Oxford and the London School of Economics.
“I look forward to leading Better Cotton at a time when it is increasing its impact on cotton quality and the livelihoods of millions of farmers and workers worldwide,” said Weatherill.
Alan McClay, who stepped down in December 2024, praised Weatherill’s expertise and vision, calling his appointment “a renewed impetus” for advancing Better Cotton’s standards and impact.
The leadership change comes as Better Cotton accelerates its global initiatives, including the 2023 launch of a traceability solution and its early 2025 transition to a certification scheme, enhancing supply chain transparency.
Co-chairs Bill Ballenden and Tamar Hoek welcomed Weatherill, highlighting his passion for partnership-building as vital for driving sustainable cotton production.
Weatherill and McClay will collaborate through June to ensure a smooth transition. Both will attend Better Cotton’s conference in İzmir, Türkiye, on June 18-19.
