9 – Organisation & people

Better Cotton/Kh aul a J ami l , L oc at i o n : R a h i m Ya r K han, Pun j a b, Pa kistan. 2019

Although our organisational model has served us well to date, we will need to evolve to achieve our ambitions for 2030.

Better Cotton has grown rapidly over the eight years to 2020 to employ over 100 people between our regional/country teams and our central coordination and support functions in Europe.

Better Cotton’s current structure comprises core functions for Programme Implementation Standards & Assurance, Membership & Supply Chain and Data & Traceability, with central shared services for Finance & Operations, Communications and Fundraising. We additionally have devolved country management and teams in three focus countries – China, India and Pakistan – with local capabilities and responsibilities for membership, capacity building and assurance.

During the next Transformation phase, most of the increases in headcount will be local, to strengthen in-country programmes, partnerships and management. We also need to invest in new capabilities (especially in technology, data and analytics) to drive efficiency and productivity gains – and eventually generate new revenue streams. These changes will allow Better Cotton’s Secretariat functions to remain lean and improve collaboration between different functions and locations.

9.1 Oversight & governance

Better Cotton will remain a multi-stakeholder initiative, with broad-based and diverse stakeholder participation in our governance, strategy, Standard management and revisions, and implementation.

Success in meeting our 2030 Strategic Aims will require Better Cotton to continually strengthen its systems, its governance and leadership in the design, implementation and improvement of the Better Cotton Standard System (BCSS).

The Principles & Criteria (P&C) which are at the heart of the BCSS will continue to be periodically reviewed and revised by the Better Cotton Steering Committee, which comprises experts from each of Better Cotton’s Membership Categories who meet several times to offer technical advice and expertise towards the revision of the Standard which is informed by formal consultation with a wide range of stakeholders.

Revisions to the P&C will continue to be approved on behalf of Members by the Council which serves as the governing body of the organisation, combining elected representatives of each membership category and individuals appointed for the skills and experience which they bring to policymaking, strategic direction and oversight.

The Council appoints the Chief Executive who, together with a highly qualified Leadership Team, will plan and ensure that Better Cotton continues to deliver on its strategic aims. We will continue to look for, recruit and retain the best qualified people to meet the challenges of this strategic direction.