Sustainable Apparel and Textiles Conference

29th - 30th April 2026

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Ben Pearson

Senior Manager of Government Affairs (EMEA)

VF Corporation

Ben Pearson is the Senior Manager of Government Affairs (EMEA) for VF Corporation, where he engages with policymakers, industry partners, and regulators to help shape practical, forward‑looking public policy.  His work focuses on the topic areas of Sustainability, Product Compliance, and Trade, and how innovation can support growth and progress across the industry.  With 17 years of experience in the textile and apparel sector, Ben brings deep industry insight and understanding of how policy connects to real‑world operations.  His earlier roles in product stewardship, quality management, communications, and supply chain compliance provide him with a uniquely integrated understanding of technical, operational, and policy issues as he advances his work in government affairs.

Ben Pearson's sessionsView full agenda

Day 0

Tuesday 28th April 2026

Time
Session title
Session type
14:45 - 17:15
Workshop
17:30 - 18:30
Networking
Day 1

Wednesday 29th April 2026

Time
Session title
Session type
10:00 - 10:45
Case study
11:30 - 12:20
Net-zero: Everyone pays for inaction. Who pays for action? 
Marks and Spencer | Soorty Enterprises | Good Fashion Fund | Action Speaks Louder | Sustainable & Social
Plenary
12:20 - 13:00
Plenary
13:00 - 14:00
14:00 - 14:45
14:45 - 15:30
15:30 - 16:00
16:30 - 17:15
16:30 - 17:15
EPR readiness: How do we build resilient strategies as national frameworks evolve? 
The Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate | VF Corporation | Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Breakout
17:15 - 18:15
Day 2

Thursday 30th April 2026

Time
Session title
Session type
09:00 - 10:00
The consumption cyclone: Can circularity fix overproduction? 
Hirdaramani Group | Reju | ON | Tapestry | Sustainabelle
Plenary
10:25 - 10:55
10:55 - 11:30
Transitioning to regenerative cotton: Impact, opportunity, and operational reality from farm to brand 
Turnrow Farm Services | adidas | COTTON USA™ and U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol
Case study
00:45 - 01:45
13:45 - 14:10
A just transition: How we can centre waste pickers, not just waste, in the circular economy 
Saamuhika Shakti | H&M Foundation | Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute
Plenary
14:10 - 14:50
Plenary
14:50 - 15:25
Emotional durability: Why consumers neglect the clothes they own – and how psychology can help 
University of Amsterdam | Zalando | Axel Arigato / Informed Collective
Plenary
15:25 - 15:40
Closing reflections from the next generation of designers 
Institut Francais de la Mode | Institut Français de la Mode
Plenary