Australia’s clothing product stewardship scheme Seamless has appointed Kylie Hargreaves as the permanent independent chair.
Seamless is attempting to transition Australia's clothing sector towards a circular economy. Member brands and retailers that sign onto the program will help fund the transition through 4 cent per garment levy payments, or 3 cents for brands already implementing circular practices.
Outgoing acting independent chair Rosanna Iacono (pictured left) said newly appointed Hargreaves holds a unique blend of practical domestic and international experience along with extensive stakeholder networks.
“Kylie has a longstanding track record of strategic leadership in complex and highly scrutinised environments which will be critical to Seamless,” Iacono said. “As a former Australian Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner and Deputy Secretary within the NSW Government, she brings a deep understanding of what it takes to drive both economic growth and systemic change."
In her career, Hargreaves established the first public environmental data-sharing platform in New South Wales, facilitated more than $8 billion in new capital investment into Australia, and led the development of National Intermodal Corporation’s first Sustainability Strategy and Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan.
Iacono added that during her time with the NSW Government and Austrade (The Australian Trade and Investment Commission) she also worked with hundreds of companies to grow their business overseas and in Australia, helped overhaul export services supporting over 8,000 companies per year. She was also one of the original four co-creators of the G’Day USA program which modernised public diplomacy in the USA and created a legacy which continues today.
Hargreaves currently chairs the Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity and is deputy chair of Regional Development Australia.
Seamless CEO Ainsley Simpson welcomed Hargreaves to the role and recognised the valuable contribution by Iacono.
“Kylie’s appointment marks the start of an exciting next chapter for Seamless,” Simpson said. “Kylie will bring a fresh perspective to how we continue to deliver on our strategic priorities and accelerate whole of life stewardship through policy advocacy, infrastructure investment and global alignment.”
“Additionally, the board, the Seamless team and the entire Seamless community have benefited from the incredible leadership of Rosanna Iacono, who has served as the acting independent chair since January 2024."
Hargreaves called it a privilege to join Seamless, saying she is energised by its vision and purpose and by how much groundwork has been established since launching operationally in 2024.
“I look forward to building on that work, and together with industry and government, transforming our clothing supply chain from design to end-of-life, improving profitability, fostering circularity and reducing negative impacts, while also supporting new business models and sustainable growth opportunities,” she said.
Iacono said she will remain on the board and continue contributing to the Seamless strategy.
“I warmly welcome Kylie as the new chair and am delighted that someone with her valuable skills and experience will be guiding our board. The board and I eagerly look forward to working closely with Kylie to accelerate our shared journey towards a circular, inclusive and resilient clothing economy for Australia.”