Ethical beauty brand brings fresh youth voices to shape sustainability, social impact, and inclusivity initiatives
On International Youth Day, The Body Shop, the British-born ethical beauty brand, announced the launch of its Youth Collective Council 2.0 (YCC 2.0) advisory board, deepening its commitment to empowering young changemakers and embedding their perspectives into core business decisions. The focus areas include sustainability, social advocacy, and inclusivity.
Building on the achievements of YCC 1.0, established in 2023, the new council brings together four dynamic youth leaders who will advise on key issues such as green innovation, mental wellbeing, and environmental action.
Continuing a legacy of change
YCC 1.0’s recommendations led to the adoption of gender-inclusive hiring, authentic representation of gender-diverse individuals in brand communications, and Braille features in stores to enhance accessibility for visually impaired customers. These initiatives were rolled out across The Body Shop India between 2024 and 2025, setting benchmarks for diversity and accessibility in the beauty industry.
The new members are Aakash Ranison (30) – Environmentalist, author, and Founder of Greener Earth Foundation, representing India at global sustainability forums, Naman Sonpar (17) – Climate activist and Founder of Hari Koshish, leading river pollution awareness campaigns, Anoushka Jolly (16) – Mental wellbeing advocate and Founder of Kavach App, winner of the Pradhan Mantri Bal Shakti Puraskar 2023 and Dwishojoyee Banerjee (20) – Green economy catalyst and Founder of The Soft Movement, replacing over 5 million plastic bags with recycled alternatives.
Shaping the future
Rahul Shanker, CEO of Quest Retail, which operates The Body Shop in India, said, “India’s youth are not just inheriting the challenges — they are championing the solutions. With YCC 2.0, we continue to strengthen our leadership in ethical, sustainable, and inclusive beauty.”
By integrating the ideas, passion, and commitment of young leaders, The Body Shop aims to tackle climate change, promote environmental advocacy, and support a green economy. The initiative reflects the brand’s belief that lasting change comes from empowering the next generation.
