TRANSFORMING SUSTAINABILITY -
ONE STORY, ONE STRATEGY, ONE WOMAN AT A TIME
How It All Started
Bangladesh's Inspiring Story
By Caroline Bouisset & Marie Destombe
Witnessing a Decade of Progress:
A Personal Reflection
Challenging the Common Narratives
Our Responsibility -
Celebrating Real Heroes
Over the past decade, we have witnessed significant changes in Bangladesh’s garment industry, where women represent 80% of the workforce.
With extensive experience in Asia, including lengthy engagements in Bangladesh, we’ve seen firsthand the resilience, determination, and innovation that define this country. From the buzzing factories of Dhaka to the rural communities that supply the industry, we’ve walked alongside the people who are driving change.
In June 2023, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) highlighted Bangladesh’s progress by bringing African manufacturers to explore cross-regional partnerships.
Bangladesh has defied the odds in inspiring ways. It has halved its poverty rate, improved working conditions, and empowered women to step into leadership roles—all while facing climate change challenges.
Yet, the global narrative about Bangladesh often remains stuck in outdated stereotypes—poverty, flooding, pollution, sweatshops, and child labor.
These issues, while still real, overshadow the remarkable progress being made. We’ve seen factories transform into models of sustainability, women rising to managerial positions, and communities coming together to tackle environmental challenges.
For 25+ years, we've partnered with factories and suppliers across Asia to drive social and environmental progress—implementing ethical practices, designing solutions, and sharing success stories with global brands.
We've witnessed storytelling's power to inspire change—from women workers to sustainability pioneers.
At WPP, we amplify the voices of real change-makers: women workers, responsible managers, sustainability innovators, and visionary leaders. Beyond support, we bridge these stories to global audiences, celebrating the real progress we've been fortunate to witness and support.
OUR ADVISORY BOARD
JOHN SAYER
Chair of the Advisory Board
John Sayer is a globally recognised sustainability leader with over three decades of experience bridging human development, corporate responsibility and climate action across Asia and the developing world. His distinguished career includes a senior role as Director of Deloitte CarbonCare Asia, where he currently advises financial institutions on ESG strategies, carbon measurement and transition planning solutions.
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John has directed poverty reduction programs in Asia Pacific with Voluntary Service Overseas and in Africa with Africa Now, while his tenure as Interim Executive Director of Oxfam International saw him play a coordinating role on global humanitarian and development work. He has helped to shape global sustainability standards through his work with the Global Reporting Initiative, the UN Global Compact and the Ethical Trading Initiative and is a published expert on sustainable supply chains and corporate-NGO partnerships.
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As Chair of our Advisory Board, John combines strategic vision with practical governance experience to guide our organisation.
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"The most sustainable solutions are those that work for both people and planet -today and tomorrow."
John Sayer is a globally recognised sustainability leader with over three decades of experience bridging human development, corporate responsibility and climate action across Asia and the developing world.
Chair of the Advisory board
JOHN SAYER
SELINA YU
Advisory Board Member
Operations & Projects
Selina Yu is a mission-driven ESG leader with deep expertise in ethical supply chain transformation across Asia’s footwear industry. With hands-on experience working with suppliers in China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and beyond, she bridges the gap between sustainability standards and on-the-ground realities.
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Selina's approach goes beyond compliance - focusing on practical implementation, capability building and fostering cultures of continuous improvement. At her current position, she integrates ethical practices with commercial strategy, ensuring social responsibility scales alongside business growth. ​
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As an Advisory Board Member, Selina provides non-binding guidance to optimise operations while upholding the company’s social mission. Her insights bridge theory and practice, fostering resilience in dynamic environments.
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"Empowering suppliers is the foundation of resilient, ethical supply chains."
Selina Yu is a mission-driven ESG leader with deep expertise in ethical supply chain transforma-tion across Asia’s footwear industry.
Operations & Projects
SELINA YU
Advisory Board Member
SAEED PARTO
Advisory Board Member
Human Rights & Fundraising
Saeed Parto is a human rights and ethical specialist with a proven track record of aligning organisational practices with international standards. His career with the United Nations and NGOs, has been dedicated to translating legal frameworks into actionable strategies.
With deep expertise in compliance, Saeed navigates complex requirements including charity regulations, anti-discrimination laws, and anti-money laundering protocols. He excels at building bridges between mission-driven organisations and ethical donors, ensuring transparency and measurable impact guide every partnership.​
Saeed's approach emphasises practical implementation - whether developing rights-based training programs, strengthening community engagement, or advising on risk management.​​
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As an Advisory Board Member, Saeed provides strategic counsel on integrating human rights considerations across operations and fundraising activities. His recommendations help maintain the organisation's commitment to ethical practices while expanding its reach and influence.
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"True progress happens when compliance becomes the floor, not the ceiling, of our social responsibility."
Saeed Parto is a human rights and ethical specialist with a proven track record of aligning organisational practices with international standards.
Human Rights & Fundraising
SAEED PARTO
Advisory Board Member
CAROLINE BOUISSET
Advisory Board Member
& Secretary
Caroline Bouisset is a sustainability pioneer with 30 years of experience transforming business practices across global supply chains. As Co-Founder of Women Planet Prosperity, she leads initiatives addressing social inequality and climate change through innovative sustainability solutions.
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Previously as Head of Sustainability at Hultafors Group, Caroline developed strategies to improve supply chain compliance and GHG reduction. Caroline chaired Amfori's Board of Directors, advancing ethical trade practices across industries.
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As an Advisory Board Member and Secretary, Caroline provides strategic ESG guidance and ensures effective governance. Her strengths include translating regulations into action plans, stakeholder consensus-building, and operational rigor.
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"Sustainable change flourishes when principals support their supply chains in their efforts to pioneer environmental and social improvements."
Caroline Bouisset is a sustainability pioneer with 30 years of experience transforming business practices across global supply chains.
& Secretary
CAROLINE BOUISSET
Advisory Board Member
MICHELLE LOMBARD
Advisory Board Member
Finance & Strategy
Michelle Lombard is a global finance leader with extensive experience steering organisations through complex transitions. As a seasoned CFO, she has led financial transformations, M&A integrations, and operational turnarounds for multinational corporations across Asia, Europe, and North America. A Fellow of ICAEW, Michelle combines technical expertise with strategic vision to build sustainable business models.
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Michelle's career highlights include restructuring underperforming divisions, securing growth capital, and implementing risk management frameworks for private equity-backed ventures. Michelle brings this practical experience to her advisory role, helping organisations balance financial resilience with their social mission.
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As an Advisory Board Member for Finance & Strategy, Michelle provides expert guidance on financial sustainability, risk management and growth strategies.
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"Financial strategy should create both economic value and positive impact."
Michelle Lombard is a global finance leader with extensive experience steering organisations through complex transitions.
Finance & Strategy
MICHELLE LOMBARD
Advisory Board Member
MARIE DESTOMBE
Advisory Board Member
Co-Founder
Marie Destombe is a visionary creative director and sustainability spearhead with 25+ years of experience transforming brands through purpose-driven design. As co-founder of Women Planet Prosperity, she combats climate change and inequality through innovative storytelling and sustainable strategies.
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Marie's career spans building 6IXTY 8IGHT into a 200+ store retail network and leading product development for international retailers as Creative Director at Hop Lun, where she pioneered sustainable factory renovation & social programmes and ethical production practices.
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As a Founding Advisor, Marie provides invaluable guidance on maintaining the organisation's core mission while evolving its creative approach. She specialises in developing authentic brand narratives that drive social change, creating sustainable product ecosystems and reimagining retail as a force for good. Her unique perspective combines aesthetic vision with deep commitment to ethical business transformation.
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"Truly impactful innovation balances creative vision with meaningful sustainable solutions.”
Marie Destombe is a visionary creative director and sustainability spearhead with 25+ years of experience transforming brands through purpose-driven design.
Co-Founder
MARIE DESTOMBE
Advisory Board Member
Our Vision
We’re crafting a future where business meets conscience,
through empowering women, promoting environmental responsibility and supporting businesses to turn their sustainable values into actions,
to contribute to a better tomorrow.
Our Mission
Supporting a sustainable future, one story at the time
We believe that, by amplifying lead by example stories, told by the actors of change, we can create a ripple effect of sustainability, equality and prosperity for all, driving meaningful change.
Through our work, we strive to:
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Elevate the voices of women, promoting their rights and opportunities at the workplace and beyond,
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Foster a culture of environmental responsibility, driving innovation and reducing ecological footprint,
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Support businesses in articulating their sustainable values, equipping them with the tools, providing the expertise and reviving the passion to create a better world for generations to come.
Together, we can create a future where business and conscience converge,
where every story told has the power to inspire a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow.
Our Values
Empowerment
We believe in empowering individuals and organisations to be agents of positive change through a pragmatic and creative approach.
Collaboration & partnership
We strive to encourage individuals and organisations to combine their efforts and resources, increasing their reach and impact.
Diversity
We champion diversity and equality, promoting women's empowerment in all spheres.
Environmental Stewardship
We are committed to fostering a culture of environmental responsibility and reducing ecological footprint.
Innovation
We drive innovation in sustainability practices and support businesses in articulating their sustainable values.
