ETI explained that Giles Bolton was appointed by a panel of tripartite board members, which was led by board chair Mary Creagh to lead the organisation into its next chapter.

Bolton will take up his post in June and replace current executive director Peter McAllister who has been at ETI for 13 years.

Bolton said: "The significant political, technological and environmental changes in the years ahead will bring new challenges and opportunities throughout supply chains. I am looking forward to spending time with ETI's remarkable membership to understand more about where they most want us to help, so we can build on Peter's legacy and ensure ETI makes an even greater impact on worker rights and responsible business."

Bolton has spent the last 15 years as group sustainability director for UK supermarket Tesco, which is a founding member of ETI. He led a team of 80 human rights, environment, and packaging experts across 10 key sourcing countries.

ETI added that he was responsible for ensuring good working conditions and sustainable practices across Tesco's supply chain.

The organisation emphasised Bolton's history of impactful work with stakeholders across ETI’s tripartite membership, highlighting his role in spearheading the signing of a "groundbreaking" agreement with the International Union of Food (IUF).

Last October (2023) McAllister announced plans to leave the organisation in the summer of 2024.

At the time ETI said McAllister had “successfully steered” the organisation through a period of considerable change and maintained its 25-year commitment to advocate for vulnerable workers through tripartite engagement.

On the appointment of Bolton, McAllister stated: "Giles served on the ETI board for many years, has been in the thick of the business and human rights field at Tesco for a long time and I am sure will bring a combination of good judgement, wisdom but also a desire for real impact to the role at ETI."