Harsh Saini appointed interim CEO as Cascale accelerates sustainability drive

Harsh Saini, a seasoned executive with extensive experience in the consumer goods sector, has been named interim CEO of Cascale, the global nonprofit alliance formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition. Her appointment follows the recent decision by Colin Browne, the current CEO, to step down. Saini, who has been serving on Cascale’s board of directors, will officially assume her new role on 1st August. This leadership change comes at a critical time as Cascale advances its mission to drive sustainable and equitable business practices across the consumer goods industry.

Saini's professional background spans over three decades, including senior roles at The Fung Group and Nike. Her expertise in consumer goods, combined with her strategic insight, is expected to provide stability and momentum during this transitional phase. She also holds board positions with organizations such as Global Fashion Agenda, Puma, and Worldly, highlighting her deep engagement with sustainability and responsible business practices. Tamar Hoek, chair of Cascale’s board and senior policy director of sustainable fashion at Solidaridad, welcomed the appointment, affirming that Saini’s knowledge of the organisation and industry landscape will be invaluable in accelerating Cascale’s work on climate action and decent labor standards.

Cascale’s evolution from the Sustainable Apparel Coalition reflects its broader ambitions beyond the apparel and footwear sectors. The rebranding underscores its commitment to fostering transparent and restorative practices throughout the entire consumer goods supply chain. With over 300 members globally, the organization seeks to scale collective action that benefits both people and the planet. Co-founder Rick Ridgeway has highlighted the vision of inspiring responsible businesses and reinforcing transparency as central to Cascale’s expanded mission.

This leadership change occurs amidst internal restructuring at Cascale, which also includes the upcoming departure of executive vice president Andrew Martin in September after five years with the organisation. Alongside personnel shifts, Cascale is implementing a new member engagement and governance model designed to enhance inclusivity, especially elevating the voices of suppliers and manufacturers. This move aims to ensure equitable representation across the supply chain and strengthen Cascale’s commitment to transparency and accountability in sustainability tool development and industry standards.

Colin Browne, who took over as CEO earlier this year, brought significant supply chain and sustainability expertise from his previous roles, including time as COO at Under Armour. His appointment came in the context of Cascale distancing itself from past controversies related to its Higg Index sustainability tools and seeking to expand its influence across a wider range of consumer goods. Browne’s leadership was intended to cast Cascale into a new era of proactive sustainability efforts and strategic partnership-building on a global scale.

With Saini stepping in as interim CEO, Cascale signals continuity and renewed focus as it navigates this pivotal period. Her industry insight and board-level experience are expected to anchor the organisation’s ongoing initiatives to address climate change, labor conditions, and supply chain transparency. The organization’s focus on equitable governance and scaling collective impact aims to further cement its role as a key driver of responsible business practices in the consumer goods sector.