Aukje Berden confirmed as new member in Leather Naturally Management Board

Royal Smit & Zoon and Leather Naturally are pleased to announce that following a member vote, Mrs. Aukje Berden has been confirmed as a new member of the Leather Naturally Management Board with immediate effect.

Aukje has a MsC in Economics from Tilburg University and many years’ experience in agribusiness and sustainability, working with global networks and partnerships.

Aukje Berden, Global ESG Director at Royal Smit & Zoon states “To be elected as a member of the Management Board of Leather Naturally is a great honor to me. Only together, by multi-stakeholder collaboration across the leather industry, we will be able to demonstrate that leather is a sustainable, durable & beautiful material that meets the worlds’ current and future challenges much better than so called leather alternatives. Every tannery, supplier and brand should actively support Leather Naturally and benefit from the opportunities of working together in creating a more socially and environmentally sustainable leather value chain.”

Leather Naturally Chair, Debbie Burton welcomed Aukje to the team, commenting, “As a team we are encouraged by the number of industry people that are prepared to give up time to support Leather Naturally as part of the Management Board. Aukje’s experience brings different perspective to the group that can only strengthen it further. Our thanks to Smit & Zoon who support her in this role.”

Note to editors
Leather Naturally promotes the use of globally manufactured sustainable leather. The website www.leathernaturally.org provides important information about modern leather production and the role LN plays towards a more sustainable society.