Manchester online retail giant Boohoo has appointed Sir Brian Leveson to provide oversight of the group’s ‘agenda for change’ programme.
Boohoo launched the programme after allegations emerged of ill treatment of staff at its Leicester warehouse in September.
In an independent review, Senior lawyer Alison Levitt QC said the fast fashion chain knew about “serious issues” with the treatment of factory workers in Leicester last December, but failed to move quickly enough to do anything about it.
Sir Brian Leveson PC said: “Boohoo has recognised that it must institute and embed change so that everyone involved in the Group’s supply chain is treated fully in accordance with the law and the principles of ethical trading.”
Sir Leveson will report to the board directly and his reports will be published, Boohoo said, to enable transparency and independence to the process.
Boohoo has also appointed KPMG to assist with the programme, it said, and will work with the group’s responsible sourcing and compliance team, and existing supply chain auditors Bureau Veritas and Verisio.
Executive chairman Mahmud Kamani said: "I am encouraged by the progress that has been made to date by our teams since setting out our Agenda for Change programme in September.
“Myself and the board are fully committed to this programme, with the appointments of Sir Brian Leveson and KPMG bringing independent oversight, additional expertise and further transparency to a programme that will help us on our journey to lead the fashion e-commerce market globally in a transparent manner.”
