Ainsley Simpson has been named as the inaugural CEO of Seamless - a national clothing product stewardship scheme launched in June 2023.
Simpson will commence her new role on March 4, 2024.
Seamless is intended to drive change in the Australian fashion industry towards environmentally friendly production and practices.
Seamless board independent chair Rosanna Iacono said Simpson was a strong choice to drive the rollout of Seamless.
“She brings a wealth of strategic leadership experience and proven ability to drive sustainability best-practice, building strategic partnerships spanning government, business and industry peak bodies for intergenerational impact,” Iacono said.
“This appointment marks the start of an exciting new chapter, and the board looks forward to working with Ainsley to drive responsible change toward effective clothing stewardship and circularity by 2030.”
Simpson is currently the CEO of the Infrastructure Sustainability Council, a not-for-profit that assures economic, social and environmental outcomes for over $290 billion in infrastructure investment across Australia and New Zealand.
Simpson has worked in executive roles in public and private sector organisations and holds non-executive roles on other not-for-profit boards and global committees.
“It is a privilege to be leading this important work on behalf of the founding and future members who are at the forefront of circularity in Australia; and contributing to transforming the way clothing is made, enjoyed and recirculated on a global scale,” Simpson said.
“My immediate priorities will be meeting our existing and imminent members and activating initial outcomes across our four strategic objectives; circular design, circular business models, closing the loop and citizen behaviour change.”
Seamless was initially launched in June 2023 with six foundation members: Big W, David Jones, Lorna Jane, Rip Curl, R.M. Williams and The Iconic.
The six members committed $100,000 each to fund a 12-month transition phase for Seamless. Since then, Sussan Group and Cotton On have signed on as foundation members.
Seamless aims to have 60% of the industry signed up in order to divert 120,000 tonnes of end-of-life clothing from landfill by 2027.
Amid the launch in June 2023, the Minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek vowed to regulate the fashion industry if not enough movement is made towards circular fashion by mid-2024.