New leadership team voted in at the ICA

A new leadership team has been voted in at the ICA following its annual general meeting, which took place earlier this month during the association's Dubai 2025 trade event.

Mr Pierre Chehab (Head of Cotton Europe, Louis Dreyfus Company) is elected to be the ICA President. Pierre will be supported by Ms Eimear McDonagh (Director, Agri Vision Australia) as First Vice-President and Mr Raymond Faus (CEO, Omnicotton) as Second Vice-President. Mr Chris Williams (Partner, Liverpool Cotton Brokers) is the newly appointed Treasurer.

Along with Mr Raymond Faus, who re-joins the board, Mr David Yang (Managing Director of China National Cotton Group Corporation) is appointed to the ICA board as regional director for China.

Speaking of his new role as ICA President, Pierre said: "I am deeply honored to accept the position of President of the International Cotton Association - it is a real privilege for me. I take this nomination with pride and with full commitment to serve the cotton community and to support our industry.

Challenges undoubtedly lie ahead, but so do opportunities. The decline of cotton is not inevitable and it is up to us to collaboratively revive the potential for growth for this natural fibre. The key is for all participants to join and work together in pursuit of our shared goal: the promotion of cotton. In this sense, the International Cotton Association has a key role to play. This begins, but is not limited to, with upholding the sanctity of contracts. This must apply equally to all parties but also to transparency and sustainability in the supply chain, providing customers with the knowledge and the freedom to choose accordingly.

We cannot afford to be divided, especially when so many livelihoods - from millions of farmers to every link in the value chain - depend on cotton. This is a reality that we are enduring and it is our duty to face and manage it accordingly. Our intention must be to reinforce cotton as a fibre of excellence, and to uphold our responsibility in ensuring it continues to hold that place in the future."

Pierre began his career at ECOM as a trainee in the US. Thereafter, he settled with Dunavant SA in Geneva to become a board member of the company while assuming the role of Trading Director. In 2010, he joined LDC in Geneva, before relocating to Singapore to lead the cotton platform there. In 2018, Pierre returned to Geneva as Head of Cotton for Europe & Black Sea. He holds a Masters in Economics from the University of Geneva and obtained a USDA Classing Certificate while attending Memphis Cotton School. As a board member of both the Better Cotton Initiative and the International Cotton Association, Pierre contributes to the sector at large through his insights and leadership.

Comprising 22 members, the new board line-up continues to represent the ICA's global membership across all sectors of the supply chain and builds on its commitment to engage the entire global cotton community.

View the full ICA Board line-up >