Meet the Team

Nick Weatherill
Chief Executive Officer

I lead the organisation, providing strategic direction to ensure that our work is driving positive impact for cotton farmers and farming communities around the world.

Before joining the Better Cotton Initiative, I led the International Cocoa Initiative for more than a decade, driving growth and scaling social impact across the sector. Earlier in my career, I spent almost 20 years developing policy, defining strategies and managing programmes for humanitarian and social development organisations, from the UK Government’s Department for International Development to Medical Emergency Relief International.

Lena Staafgard
Chief Operating Officer

I lead the Better Cotton Initiative’s operations and ensure our day-to-day work delivers the change and impact we want to see across the broad spectrum of activities we undertake.

I have a background in sustainability and possess degrees in Politics and Geography, and Environment and Development. I joined Better Cotton in 2010, and after holding a variety of roles within the organisation, I was appointed COO in 2016. I am also a board member at Cascale, a global non-profit alliance in the consumer goods industry.

Alia Malik
CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

I lead the Better Cotton Initiative’s market and stakeholder engagement, developing our business model to fund and drive change on the farm.

Before coming to The Better Cotton Initiative, I developed policy in support of smallholders at international organisations and founded two social enterprise start-ups: Shangrila Farms, which connected farmers and consumers in ethical trade in the consumer goods sector in China, and FarmSmart, an international education app for smallholder farmers. I also serve on the board of the International Cotton Association, and hold degrees from Cambridge and Georgetown University.

Eva Benavidez Clayton
Senior Director of DEMAND AND ENGAGEMENT

I oversee the organisation’s member engagement and operations, claims, and traceability efforts.

For the past decade, I have been focused on addressing key sustainability questions within the textile and apparel space, but my experience also spans the NGO and philanthropic sectors across issues such as gender-based violence, human rights, and social inclusion.

Iain Gardiner
Senior Director of Impact and Development

I lead the Fundraising and Impact Teams to provide technical direction for impact and bankable proposals for investment. This is supported by significant experience across operational research and programme delivery for public and private investment.

Prior to joining the Better Cotton Initiative, I occupied technical appointments with the United Nations, and leadership appointments with Imperial College London and private development consulting firms. My focus has remained on building the enabling environment for economic growth, across agriculture and health, having secured and delivered large-scale multi-country grants from a range of donor types.

Ben Maitland
Senior Director of Advocacy, Communications and Events

I lead the organisation’s Advocacy, Communications and Events function, providing strategic direction on the Better Cotton Initiative’s communications, leading on our engagement with both internal and external stakeholders, our delivery of our flagship events including the annual BCI Conference, and overseeing our policy and advocacy workstreams.

I joined the Better Cotton Initiative in April 2025, having previously held senior communications roles at The ONE Campaign, The Power of Nutrition, and Comic Relief. I also spent a decade working on some of the most demanding and high-profile communications issues facing the UK public sector and was responsible for founding an innovative NGO that works with young people across Africa to tackle challenging health issues.

Iveta Ouvry
Senior Director of Programmes

I support the Better Cotton Initiative’s work at the country and farm level through programmes that help cotton farming communities to adopt more sustainable agriculture practices and see positive change in their livelihoods or gender dynamics. In addition, I support multifunction country operations.

My expertise spans strategic partnerships, gender transformation, climate-resilient programming, and rights-based approaches to education, health, and protection. Prior to joining Better Cotton, I held senior leadership roles with international NGOs and UN-affiliated organisations across Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. I shaped country strategies, led complex programme design and implementation, and represented organisations at the highest levels with governments, donors, and international bodies.

Graham Sutherland
Senior Director of Finance & Services

I head up the Better Cotton Initiative’s Finance, IT and Data, Legal Affairs and Procurement teams, ensuring that the organisation uses its resources and assets in the most effective way possible to achieve a world where all cotton farming is sustainable.

Before leading these teams, I held senior roles across the not-for-profit space. I hold a BSc in Economics and I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.