Olam chief is new chair of World Business Council for Sustainable Development

Singapore

SUNNY Verghese, Olam International's co-founder and chief executive, has been appointed chair of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the global CEO-led advocacy organisation said in Geneva on Monday.

Mr Verghese is the first Asia-based chief executive to be elected to this position, and the first chair from the agri-sector. His two-year term took effect from Jan 1 when he succeeded Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever, as chair.

WBCSD, an organisation of over 200 businesses, advocates progress on sustainable development. It represents US$8.5 trillion worth of combined revenue.

Mr Verghese said in a statement: "Creating a sustainable future for all is fundamental to our survival. In leading a global agri business operating across 70 markets, I've seen intimately how each action we take separately as business leaders can impact millions of people, as well as the planet. The potential is even greater when we come together to take collective positive action."

Mr Verghese is also a commissioner of the Business & Sustainable Development Commission, which aims to push the business world to achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.