Empowering Sustainable Futures: Simran Virk chosen as one of Drapers 30 under 30 in the fashion industry

We are excited to announce that Simran Virk, our Sustainability Manager of Raw Materials and Circularity, has been recognised as one of Drapers' Top 30 Under 30 for 2024, showcasing her outstanding contributions to the industry.

Since joining last year, Simran has been instrumental in driving tangible change in Clothing & Home at M&S. Her accomplishments include successfully leading M&S’s certification with the Textiles Exchange’s Organic Cotton Standard and Recycled Claim Standard. She has also fostered valuable external partnerships with initiatives like Textiles 2030 and the Microfibre Consortium, aligning with our commitment to sustainability.

In a time when green claims are carefully scrutinized, Simran has played a pivotal role in our internal and external sustainability communications, ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of more sustainable raw materials in our products. Her collaborative efforts with the marketing, legal, and packaging teams have resulted in a cohesive, consistent, and impactful approach to our products.

Simran also worked on a comprehensive training programme for teams across M&S to grow their understanding of sustainable raw materials and their related policies, empowering everyone to contribute to our sustainability goals.

Before joining M&S, Simran made significant contributions as the Sustainability Coordinator at Hush. Notably, she led the launch of a rental project in collaboration with My Wardrobe HQ and initiated the Hush x Cotton Lives On x Thrift+ collaboration—a take-back service shortlisted for the Best Circularity Initiative award at Drapers Sustainable Fashion Awards 2023.

Katharine Beacham, Head of Materials and Sustainability at M&S, "heavily endorses" Simran for her exceptional work in sustainability. Stephanie Shaw, Simran's former manager at Hush, describes her as "a force to be reckoned with."

When asked about this recognition, Simran said, “Working in sustainability brings me so much joy as I witness the industry grow and change. It’s something I really love about my role. I’m thrilled to be part of the Drapers 30 under 30! I want to express my sincere gratitude to the entire M&S team for their unwavering support. A special shout-out goes to the sustainability team; your remarkable drive and passion are truly inspiring.”

Congratulations Simran! We can’t wait to see what you do next.

Join our award-winning Clothing & Home team – learn more here.