SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification
company, has announced the appointment of Daniel Rüfenacht
as new Chief Executive Officer of bluesign technologies ag, a member of the SGS
Group.
The appointment, which takes effect from June 1, 2021,
follows a significant new role for current CEO, Jill Dumain as Global
Vice-President for Sustainability Solutions at SGS.
Bluesign Technologies, based in St. Gallen,
Switzerland, works with the textile value chain, around the world, to eliminate
harmful substances within the manufacturing process. Since it was founded in
2000, Bluesign has become the leading sustainability solutions provider for
environmentally friendly, safe and resource-efficient textile production with a
global system partner network of chemical suppliers, manufacturers and brands.
With a background in business management and
communications, Daniel began his career with the Swiss government, identifying
new market opportunities for sustainable trade from developing countries, and
overseeing the development of the first sustainable label in Switzerland for
the textile industry.
Daniel then spent 10 years as Executive Director at a
well-known textile company, transforming it from a traditional clothing company
into a widely recognized, sustainable brand.
Joining SGS in 2008 as Vice President Corporate
Sustainability, Daniel was promoted to Group Vice President, Corporate
Communications and Sustainability in 2017. In this role he had responsibility
for sustainability management systems, the global sustainability programs,
brand and communications, achieving significant change and improvement in these
areas.
Charles Ly Wa Hoi, Executive Vice President
Connectivity & Products at SGS, said: “Daniel’s
extensive experience in sustainability will undoubtedly drive the company
forward and lead the way in ensuring excellence in sustainable textile
manufacturing.
“Bluesign is about finding solutions to both today’s
and tomorrow’s social and environmental challenges and we are confident that
Daniel’s ambition and commitment to sustainability will continue to bring about
the changes needed to reduce the environmental impact of textiles.”
Daniel Rüfenacht said: “As someone who has dedicated his career to the pursuit of
sustainable practice aiming for zero impact in the industry, I feel very
privileged to be embarking on this new role. I look forward with my team to
galvanize suppliers, manufacturers and brands to reduce the overall footprint
of the textile industry and enable a better, safer and more interconnected
world.”
For further information, please contact:
Julie Cabrol
Global Marketing and Communications Director
Connectivity and Products
Tel: +33 7 86 75 02 46
Kutay Saritosun
Head of Marketing and Communications
Bluesign
+41 (0) 71 272 29 76
About SGS
We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification
company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity.
Our 89,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories,
working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.