NMC Network for Sustainable Business, a Swedish association of sustainable business, has rewarded Karl-Johan Persson, CEO of apparel brand H&M, as the Price Sustainable Leader for 2016 at the recently held award ceremony at Scandic Continental in Stockholm, for his ways to inspire and challenge the entire fashion industry by running complex sustainability issues through global partnerships with the objective of achieving long-term change.
“Karl-Johan has shown courage by challenging the financial stakeholders in the quarterly circus and by clearly putting its foot down and add a pillar of H&M’s business concept, namely sustainability. There is no doubt that this is a leader who gives priority to push for long-term structural changes to improve working conditions and stop resource circle. A sustainable leadership of top management is the key to a successful sustainability effort to create a real difference in both business and society,” says Ylva Öhrnell, Chairman, NMC.
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It may be mentioned here that Sustainable Leadership Prize has been awarded annually since 1999 by the NMC Network for Sustainable Business to reward a person who through exemplary leadership has contributed to the significant steps taken towards social, economic and / or ecological sustainability in the organization or in the community.
“For H&M’s sustainable leadership to show the way and to dare to work long-term, instead of choosing simple solutions that do not lead to lasting changes. It is essential not only for sustainable management, but for a sustainable approach in general. It is a great honour to receive this award, without dedicated employees who every day strive to be at the forefront, this had not been possible,” says Karl-Johan Persson.
In another development, H&M unveiled its nine-month report which states that the unseasonably warm weather in September had a very negative impact on the Group’s sales. Its sales in September increased by only 1 per cent including VAT in local currencies compared to the same month of 2015. The total number of stores amounted to 4,204 on September 30, 2016 compared to 3,733 on September 30, 2015.
