Patagonia newcomer to address ‘most pressing issues’
Outdoor brand Patagonia has appointed the deputy CEO of environmental NGO Client Earth as environmental action and initiatives director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Beth Thoren will help Patagonia to address “the most pressing issues of our time”, including the commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2025 and help support more than 1,000 grassroots environmental NGOs.
At Client Earth, she oversaw the transformation from being a UK organisation to a global one and challenged new coal operations in China.
This year she developed the National Nature Service, a programme to tackle the problems of nature’s decline and rising unemployment focusing on young people and those from minority ethnic backgrounds. A proposal has been submitted to the UK government, which would create 15,000 jobs, result in the planting of 4.5m trees and create urban green spaces focusing on the 155 most deprived communities.
Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert said: “As we write the next chapter in our company’s history, our mission will be central to every action we take. We are delighted to welcome Beth to the Patagonia family to help us elevate that mission. Beth has played a pivotal role in some of the most crucial environmental challenges taking place today, as both an activist and leader.”
