About us  

Our history

CottonConnect is born from commercial need and years of experience in developing sustainable supply chains. We were created in 2009 by a unique collaboration between C&A, Textile Exchange and Shell Foundation.

Our aim is to deliver a market-driven approach that provides opportunities for retailers and brands, as well as farmers, to simultaneously expand economic opportunity, reduce poverty and protect the environment.

Founding partners


CAlogo

One of Europe's leading clothing retailers and CottonConnect's founding customer partner. C&A's commitment and market expertise in the pilot phase of CottonConnect means that their services are tested and explored against the demands and priorities of the retail and brand world.

SFlogo

Specialising in seeding, incubating and scaling enterprise-based solutions, the Shell Foundation has enabled us to create CottonConnect as dynamic business with a social purpose.

TElogo

Textile Exchange (formerly Organic Exchange) is the leading resource and network for organic cotton and sustainable textiles worldwide. 

CottonConnect is led by a strong management team and a diverse group of people that bring dynamic energy to the company. Together, we combine cotton, market and retail expertise and an understanding of enterprise-based solutions to development challenges. This helps us offer:

  • a strong focus on implementation
  • a unique on the ground network
  • years of combined experience in delivering viable solutions
  • global partners and reach

Our business principles (pdf)

'By establishing CottonConnect the partnership is creating something which will have a beneficial effect on thousands of farmers and their families, whilst increasing the possibility for further scale by offering the benefit of our experience to other retailers and brands'

Philip Chamberlain
Head of Sustainable Business Development at C&A

‘CottonConnect is in a position to play an important role at industry level over the coming years. It will help retailers and brands to optimise their cotton supply strategies, and help stakeholders along the value chain to deliver the changes necessary on the ground – from farm to finished garment.’

Alison Rodwell
Business Director at Shell Foundation

Cotton is one of the preeminent fibres in the world and plays a critical role in apparel and textile products, providing unparalleled comfort and performance. A global entity like CottonConnect, who successfully works across the entire value chain to improve the environmental and social sustainability of cotton production and processing, is absolutely critical to the ongoing health of the industry.

LaRhea Pepper
Managing Director at Textile Exchange

Where we work

Where we work