Consumers International announces new President

Consumers International (CI) has today announced Bart Combée as its new President. Bart is also President of the Netherlands’ consumer organisation, Consumentenbond. Gilly Wong, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Consumer Council, also joins him as Vice President of CI.

Elections were held at the CI General Assembly, which took place at the CI World Congress in Brasilia last week. A new President, Board and Advisory Council were elected. Elections take place once every four years and Bart Combée replaces outgoing CI President, James Guest, who was also formerly President of Consumer Reports in the U.S. James Guest and the outgoing Council received a standing ovation for their work of the last four years.

New CI President Bart Combée said:

“It is a great honour to be elected as President of Consumers International. I look forward to work with the membership on an even stronger and vivid consumer movement all over the world. I believe we can be even more relevant and impactful than today. Let's make CI Rock!”

Outgoing President James Guest said:

"In my final days as President I was so inspired at the World Congress by the energy, courage and commitment of CI’s Members to the kind of global campaigning, international advocacy and collective action for consumers that are essential in today’s rapidly changing, increasingly globalised, digitalised, multinational marketplace. I have no doubt that the “new CI” we saw at Congress will deliver more and more powerful impact for global consumers in the years ahead. I could not be more proud."

Amanda Long, Director General of Consumers International said:

“I’m delighted to welcome Bart Combée as President and our incoming Board and Council to their new positions. I look forward to working with the new team to ensure that Consumers International and the global consumer movement continue to drive positive change for consumers around the globe. I would like to express my thanks to our outgoing Council and President for their support and guidance over the past four years.”

The theme for World Congress 2015, which preceded the General Assembly was ‘Unlocking Consumer Power: A new vision for the global marketplace’. The event featured panel sessions and interactive discussions across a range of important consumer issues, all featuring experts from across the consumer movement, wider civil society organisations, government and the private sector and live Q&As from the audience. Delegates, including the CI membership shared ideas, successes and discussed new ways to operate going forward, inspiring each other to work together for greater global impact.