The two new Shein boards are External ESG Advisory Board (EEAB) and the Regional Strategic and Corporate Responsibility Committees.
EEAB and members
The EEAB at Shein consists of independent authorities in areas pertinent to the company's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns. The EEAB is tasked with advising on ESG trends, challenges, and prospects while evaluating SHEIN’s existing ESG endeavours and protocols.
Ram Gidoomal, a businessman and philanthropist, will lead the EEAB as its chair. He held the position of chairman at CottonConnect. His career includes roles such as chairman of the board for Traidcraft and the London Sustainability Exchange, as well as serving as a board member for the International Justice Mission. He was the UK chief executive of the Inlaks Group, a company operating across 15 countries.
Robin Millington, a specialist on global issues requiring transformative change, will assume the role of vice-chair of the EEAB. She has experience in sustainable finance, corporate transitions, supply chains, and extensive leadership experience in both philanthropy and industry sectors. Robin Millington is the founder/CEO of Planet Tracker. Currently, she serves as a board member at Dunya Analytics.
Dr Xiaohui Liang has experience in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and business and human rights (BHR) within China. He currently holds the position of chief researcher at the office for social responsibility at the China National Textile and Apparel Council and contributed to China's inaugural CSR initiative in 2005.
Christoph Wolff brings his experience as an executive, board advisor, and investor focusing on net-zero transformations within mobility and energy sectors. His past roles include Global Head of Mobility at the World Economic Forum.
SHEIN executive chairman Donald Tang said: “We are pleased to have established the EEAB, which will enable us to draw on the knowledge and experience of these global-leading experts in their fields. Their insights in key areas including supply chain governance, circularity and decarbonisation will be important as we make progress on SHEIN’s sustainability journey.”
Regional Strategy and Corporate Responsibility Committees
The second of Shein's boards, Regional Strategic and Corporate Responsibility Committees, aims to offer independent counsel to Shein’s management team. The initial focus will be on the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region.
These committees are designed to integrate advice from seasoned industry leaders to ensure SHEIN's growth aligns positively with economic and societal goals in its operational territories. Leonard Lin, president of EMEA and global head of public affairs at SHEIN, will receive recommendations from these committees.
The first committee targets the EMEA region with three independent members including Christophe Castaner, chairman of the Supervisory Board of Port Marseille-Fos, France's largest port facility. As a former Interior Minister, he has extensive experience in public administration, governance, strategic planning, and a deep understanding of territorial matters.
Nicole Guedj is a lawyer and former French Secretary of State for Victims’ Rights. With decades of experience in public service and advocacy, she specialises in developing innovative solutions for social impact and has a strong understanding of the Middle East region.
Bernard Spitz is a business leader and former president of the French Insurance Federation (FFA). With 12 years as chairman of the International and European Commission of the MEDEF (French Employers' Federation), he has gained considerable expertise in international relations.
Leonard Lin said: “The formation of these advisory bodies reflects our commitment to benchmarking our efforts against global and local corporate best practices as advised by independent experts. We are confident that the insights and expertise that these distinguished executives will provide will continue to strengthen our business.”
In September this year, Shein launched a €10m ($13.26m) talent development programme which will support 250 emerging European designers.