Pam Batty
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Pam Batty is the head of Ethical Trade for Next Plc and has been involved in implementing the Next Code of Practice for the past ten years.
Pam was responsible for drafting the company's first code, which was introduced to its suppliers in 1998- and continues to drive it through the business today. During her 14 years at Next Pam has also been responsible for managing other areas within the business including, buying, design, sourcing and technology. As an advocate of ethical trade, her beliefs combined with her commercial experience has been an effective one within the business. Pam is a member of the ETI Board and is also activly involved in many ETI project groups.
Next is a large UK based retailer offering stylish, good quality products in clothing, footwear, accessories and home products. Next distributes through three main channels:
- Next Retail, a chain of more than 500 stores in the UK and Ireland
- Next Directory, a direct mail catalogue and transactional website with more than 2 million active customers
- Next International, with more than 170 stores overseas
With a sizable internal Ethical trade Team team based in key sourcing locations, the company maintains an important insight to its supply base through direct relationships with its suppliers in the countries that its products are manufactured. The Ethical Trade team also plays an integral part of sourcing and operational buying functions within the business.
Next's ethical trading work and approach to ethical trading has developed and matured over the past decade. From a committed retailer working towards achieving the requirements of ETI membership, to an initiator of new approaches, with a clear objective of being a leader in ethical trade on the high street.