EOG recruits textile expert Verity Hardy to lead new sustainability initiative
The European Outdoor Group (EOG) has announced the appointment of Dr. Verity Hardy as its new sustainability project manager. Verity has joined the team to lead the EOG’s new Climate Action Programme, which will start to roll out from November. She will work closely with Dr. Katy Stevens and Dr. Jane Turnbull in the association’s CSR and sustainability team, along with the rest of the EOG executive and external partners.
Dr. Verity Hardy is an accomplished and professional technical textile researcher and project manager, with over 14 years’ experience in industry and academia. In a series of roles, Verity has combined high level theoretical knowledge of textile raw materials, processing and manufacturing techniques, with well-honed textile characterisation and analysis skills.
Much of her work has focused on making advances in textile materials that benefit and meet the needs of micro-businesses, SMEs, global manufacturers, end users and the environment.Verity has joined the EOG from her role as a research technician at theUniversity of Leeds, where she previously studied, achieving a BSc, MSc and PhDin Textiles. Among her other roles, Verity worked for Shirley Technologies, as UK manager for the ECO PASSPORT, MySTeP and MADE IN GREEN OEKO-TEX® textile certifications.
Dr. Verity Hardy will lead the EOG’s Climate ActionProgramme (CAP) and will also contribute to the other sustainability projects.CAP will guide participants through the “climate action journey” and enable them to actively reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions they produce, by developing and implementing a climate strategy that is in line with science-based recommendations and policy requirements. The comprehensive programme will address all areas of each outdoor business that participates and will be aligned with, and collaborate with, other complementary international industry initiatives.
CAP will roll out from around mid-November, but the EOG has started introducing companies to how it will work, through a series of webinars that are available to view on the association’s website.
Full details of the programme will be released in the near future.
The European Outdoor Group’s CSR and sustainability team is led by Dr. Katy Stevens, who, along with Dr. Jane Turnbull, manages an extensive programme of collaborative projects, covering topics such as responsible resource use, emissions, and ethical approaches to supply chains and other business operations. Along with developing the Sustainability Charter that EOG members are required to sign, the team has also published a series of guides and reports on subjects like recycled wool, recycled down and recycled leather, and sustainability in hard goods, and plays an active role in other EOG and partner initiatives that address key issues facing the industry, including microfibre pollution and single use plastics.
Dr. Verity Hardy comments on her new role:
“I am thrilled to join such a well-respected organisation, working alongside textile industry and sustainability experts. I am looking forward to assisting EOG members and the wider outdoor industry on their journey towards addressing climate change.”
Dr. Katy Stevens adds:
“Verity is a very welcome addition to the EOG team. She has a wealth of absolutely invaluable experience about textiles, married to a real passion for sustainability. Her ability to translate academic insights into positive actions for businesses is going to be a major asset to the Climate Action Programme and the outdoor industry in general.”
For additional media information please contact Chris Lines on +44 (0)7971 868329
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