Following its forum in Vietnam, Cascale said Browne will step down from his CEO role on 31 July, a decision made out of “personal choice”.
“Colin’s steady leadership has been instrumental in stabilising and refocusing Cascale over the past year,” said Tamar Hoek, chair of the board, and senior policy director sustainable fashion, Solidaridad. “He has helped lay a strong foundation for what’s next and we are deeply grateful for his contributions.”
Go deeper with GlobalData
The leadership transition comes as Cascale enters a period of clarity and momentum. Over the past 12 months, the organisation has launched a bold new impact strategy, deepened engagement with manufacturers globally, purchased the assets of Better Buying, and advanced critical work on industry-wide decarbonisation. These priorities — along with an emphasis on member value and partnership — remain firmly in place, the organisation said.
A global search for Browne’s successor is currently underway. In the interim, the organisation will maintain its strategic course, with senior leadership continuing to deliver on key priorities without pause.
Cascale held a forum recently in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, attended by over 600 manufacturers, leading brands, service providers, and supply chain partners, to address urgent challenges and opportunities in the consumer goods value chain.
At the Cascale Vietnam event, topics spanned industry decarbonisation, trade shifts, regulatory changes, facility improvements, responsible contracting, worker rights, and more. Discussions were especially critical for Vietnam-based apparel manufacturers, who may face impacts of higher US tariffs when a 90-day pause on proposed 46% tariffs ends on 8 July. A dedicated Vietnamese stage spotlighted local expertise and leadership, and the entire programme was delivered bilingually to ensure full participation from Vietnamese stakeholders.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataBrowne opened the event by challenging brands and suppliers to work together to set Science-Based Targets (SBTs) for decarbonisation. “Setting an SBT without close consultation with one’s supply chain is unacceptable and irresponsible given the near-term deadline of 2030,” he said. “But with the right actionable data and mutual support, there is hope.”
Vu Duc Giang, chairman of the Vietnam Textile & Apparel Association (VITAS) added: “None of us can go alone – collaboration is the only way,” he said. “When brands, manufacturers, organisations and governments come together and share responsibility, any goal can be achieved.”
During the session “Navigating Global Policy: Impact on Sourcing Countries & Strategies,” Andrew Martin, Cascale executive vice president, said: “In EMEA and the Americas, manufacturers are navigating an evolving maze of often conflicting regulations. Yet in the Asia-Pacific region, regulation is fast becoming strategy — as we are increasingly seeing many countries stepping up with more progressive policies. To support this, Cascale advocates for clear, consistent guidance that manufacturers can actually use. We’re actively engaging across all three regions to push for global and regional frameworks that are practical, aligned, and grounded in manufacturers’ realities.”
Vietnam-based manufacturers reported fears that global brand customers will pressure them to shoulder the costs of tariff impacts. They also urged prioritisation of worker protections in high-risk countries like Vietnam, where apparel production employs three million people. “Manufacturers are clear: Global brands should not use tariffs as an excuse to roll back on their responsible business commitments,” said Lindsay Wright, director of communications and strategic partnerships, Better Buying, Cascale. “If they do, the consumer goods industry will have to pick up the pieces later.”
