Kappahl has appointed Sandra Roos as its new head of sustainability. Kappahl is a leading fashion chain in the Nordic region with 380 Kappahl and Newbie stores in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Poland, and Great Britain as well as Shop Online. Some 57 per cent of its fashion is sustainability-labelled.

Roos joins from the RISE research institute, where she served as an expert on sustainability issues in the textile industry. She has a PhD from Chalmers University of Technology, for which her thesis was based in part on first-hand experience from visits to supplier points in several production countries in Asia. Roos has previously collaborated with Kappahl through the chemicals group at RISE and Mistra Future Fashion, which has had a major impact on the textile industry, according to a press release by Kappahl.

Roos is particularly interested in how sustainability is measured, communicated and improved, and in capturing the bigger picture at every stage of the production chain.

“Sandra’s sterling research background will allow us to create new opportunities in our important work to transition to an even more sustainable business model,” Kappahl’s CEO Elisabeth Peregi said.

“Kappahl has an ambitious sustainability programme and a realistic approach to the key issues. I have been following them for a long time and am looking forward to continuing to tackle these important issues with my new colleagues,” Roos said.