The Sustainable Leather Foundation (SLF) held its end-of-year Strategy Meeting on December 3, 2025, bringing together members of the Advisory Board and the SLF Management Team to assess the organisation’s progress and define strategic priorities for the coming year. The meeting highlighted SLF’s expanding global reach, strengthened collaborations and maturing governance structure.
A key moment of the session was the formal handover of the Advisory Board Chairmanship, marking an important milestone for the Foundation. After serving as Chair since 2021 and supporting SLF since its establishment in 2020, Hans van Haarst officially passed the leadership role to renowned sustainability advocate Reg Hankey.
Honouring Leadership and Contribution
Hans van Haarst was recognised for his invaluable guidance, industry insight and steadfast dedication to SLF’s mission. Reflecting on his departure, he shared:
“It has been an incredible journey with a strong vision and purpose. I take with me many good memories from my time with SLF, and I will continue to follow their work from a distance.”
Incoming Chair Reg Hankey expressed his commitment to continuing SLF’s growth trajectory and strengthening its influence across the global leather value chain.
2025: A Year of Measurable Impact and Expansion
The meeting also showcased several notable achievements:
- Global reach expanded from 28 to 34 countries
- Partnership network grew by 34%
- 26% increase in Transparency Dashboards™
- SLF’s ESG Standards submitted to UKAS for ISO 17065 scheme approval
These developments highlight both SLF’s rising international presence and the industry’s growing commitment to transparent, data-driven sustainability practices.
A Strategic Outlook for 2026
Looking to the year ahead, SLF will continue focusing on:
- Practical sustainability tools
- Harmonised and credible standards
- Increased stakeholder engagement
- Strengthened governance and new programme initiatives
With Reg Hankey stepping into the role of Advisory Board Chair and the continued support of the SLF network, the Foundation enters 2026 with renewed momentum and a strong commitment to driving positive transformation across the leather value chain.
