ETI appoints Philip Jennings as its new Board Chair

ETI is pleased to announce the appointment of Philip Jennings as Chair of its Board of Directors, effective following December 2024 board approval. Philip succeeds Mary Creagh MP, who has served as Board Chair for three years and has now taken a position as a Minister in the British Government. 

Over a career spanning 40 years, Philip has been a leading figure in the global trade union movement, including as General Secretary at Uni Global Union and the FIET (International Federation of Commercial, Clerical, Technical and Professional Employees) for a combined 30 years. His dedication and ingenuity have led to a transformation of global union work from supply chain justice, notably the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety, through global agreements with multinationals, to union solidarity. He has worked across a wide range of international institutions, representing the rights and interests of workers worldwide within the ITUC and to the UN, ILO, IMF, OECD, World Bank, World Economic Forum, EU and the G20. Philip also has extensive experience of engaging in corporate boardrooms. He has a proven track-record of chairing Boards, leading strategy development and building strong relationships with government institutions, businesses and NGOs. He has also played a pioneering role in promoting human rights in sport, co-founding the World Players Association to promote the human rights of athletes and contributing to the establishment of the Sports and Rights Alliance and the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, where he remains a board director and trustee.

ETI is the leading expert on human rights due diligence. For over 25 years it has worked to bring together companies, trade unions and non-governmental organisations to understand and tackle human rights issues in the workplace. As awareness of abuses in global supply chains continues to grow, and companies face new legislative requirements to address them, ETI’s role has never been more important.

"We are thrilled to welcome Philip to this role," said Giles Bolton, Executive Director of ETI. “There is huge ambition among ETI’s members and team to build on our achievements and grow our impact and scale.  Philip’s remarkable track record of leadership and collaboration will help us fulfil our mission to create real improvements for the most vulnerable workers.” 

Philip expressed enthusiasm about taking on the new role: 

“I look forward to further building the influence and impact of the ETI on public policy, business practices and in workplaces around the world where millions toil, few earn a living wage, and human rights abuses persist. As ETI enters a new era we have the experience and expertise to continually raise standards in supply chains worldwide.”

ETI notes its immense gratitude to Mary Creagh, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Nature, for her leadership as Board Chair over the last three years, and invaluable contribution to ETI’s growing impact.  In particular we recognise her drive to widen awareness of ETI’s mission, increase practical change, and professionalise its ways of working.

For more information about ETI visit www.ethicaltrade.org