Shein, the global online fashion retailer, has hired Tetra Pak veteran Mustan Lalani as global head of sustainability, Lalani disclosed via LinkedIn. The hire comes as Shein pursues a potential IPO (initial public offering) on the London Stock Exchange in 2025.
Here are five things to know about Shein's business, and Lalani's executive experience.
1. Business Scope and Scale: Shein, founded in 2008, was originally known as ZZKKO. The company moved its headquarters from China to Singapore in 2022 in order to downplay its China ties. The overall business now has more than 16,000 employees across over 150 countries.
2. Potential IPO: More recently, Shein has been preparing for a potential IPO on the London Stock Exchange. The target valuation could be around $50 billion -- which is significantly less than a 2023 fundraising valuation of $66 billion, Reuters reported. The valuation cut reflects potential pressures from anticipated U.S. tariffs from the Trump administration.
Shein scrapped a 2023 IPO plan in the United States amid U.S. concerns about the alleged use of forced labor in Shein’s supply chain and its use of a U.S. tax law exemption known as de minimis, CNBC reported. Fast forward to February 2025, and Shein continues to face questions about its labor and business practices, USA Today reported.
3. Sustainability and ESG Strategy: In a bid to "achieve its corporate responsibility objectives," Shein in December 2024 launched a Global External ESG Advisory Board (EEAB), along with Regional Strategy and Corporate Responsibility Committees. Eager to address business critics, the company says it conducted over 2 million product safety tests in 2024. Shein has also boosted its recycling and waste reduction initiatives.
4. Executive Experience: New Global Head of Sustainability Mustan Lalani has extensive executive experience. He previously led Tetra Pak's sustainability transition, strategy and operations in 27 markets in North Europe and East Europe, including capital investments in recycling technologies, Lalani's LinkedIn bio states. Earlier, he was manager of strategy consulting at Reclay StewardEdge, a product and packaging firm with extensive recycling and waste management know-how.
5. Executive Perspectives: In a statement posted on LinkedIn, Lalani wrote: "Thrilled to step into my new role as Global Head of Sustainability at SHEIN. As one of the world’s largest fashion and retail platforms, and a pioneer in on-demand fashion, SHEIN represents a disruptive model with the potential to drive sustainability at an unparalleled scale. My focus will be on embedding circularity, decarbonisation, and strategic partnerships into the core of the business."
Describing the opportunity ahead, Lalani added: "The scale and complexity of this challenge are immense, but so is the opportunity to set a new standard for sustainability in the industry. The work ahead requires bold ideas, collaboration, and action. If you’re passionate about shaping the future of sustainable fashion, please get in touch. Let’s get to work."
Chief Sustainability Officers: Why Technology Partners Should Care
By 2027, 25% of Global 2000 companies will have assigned a chief sustainability officer (CSO) responsible for meeting their organization’s ESG goals and making ESG-related IT purchasing decisions, according to IDC.
The bottom line: Technology partners need to extend their sales, marketing, engagement and support strategies to successfully fulfill those CSO customer needs, Sustainable Tech Partner believes.
