22nd August 2025: The Body Shop, a British-born ethical beauty brand, on the occasion of National Youth Day, the brand has announced the launch of its Youth Collective Council 2.0 (YCC 2.0) advisory board, marking an important step forward in the brand’s ongoing efforts to empower young voices and foster change. Building on the achievements of YCC 1.0, this new council reinforces The Body Shop’s commitment to integrating youth perspectives into its core business decisions, particularly in the areas of sustainability, social impact, and inclusivity.
YCC 1.0 was established in 2023 with a mission to make the company’s leadership more diverse and responsive to young changemakers. During its tenure, the inaugural council recommended several impactful initiatives, including gender-inclusive hiring and management practices, authentic representation of real-life, gender-diverse individuals in brand communications, and the introduction of Braille features in stores to improve accessibility for visually impaired customers. These initiatives have already been successfully implemented in 2024-2025 across The Body Shop India, setting new benchmarks for diversity and accessibility in the industry.
Taking this success, a step further, YCC 2.0 brings together four new youth leaders who will advise on key issues such as sustainability, green innovation, mental wellbeing and social advocacy. The new members in the council are:
Aakash Ranison, aged 30, is an environmentalist, author, and the Founder of Greener Earth Foundation. He is the Civil Society Representative for Paris Peace Forum & Delegate to UN Migration for UN COP
Naman Sonpar, aged 17, is a climate activist, TEDx Speaker and the Founder of Hari Koshish. Naman leads the “Voicing the Yamuna” campaign to raise awareness about river pollution, collecting 2200+ Kgs of waste. His work centers around Youth Advocacy and community oriented Climate Action.
Anoushka Jolly, aged 16, is a mental wellbeing advocate and the Founder of Kavach App. Anoushka’s work focuses on supporting adolescent mental wellbeing. She was awarded Pradhan Mantri Bal Shakti Puraskar 2023
Dwishojoyee Banerjee, aged 20, is a green economy catalyst and the Founder of The Soft Movement. Dwishojoyee’s “Paper Bag Project” has replaced over 5 Mn plastic bags with recycled newspaper alternatives
Each member will soon be sharing recommendations that align seamlessly with The Body Shop’s core values and ethical ethos, reinforcing our collective commitment to tackling climate change, strengthening environmental advocacy, advancing public engagement, and promoting a green economy.
Rahul Shanker, CEO, Quest Retail said, “Together, through innovation, inclusivity, and action, we aim to build a fairer, greener world because India’s youth are not just inheriting the challenges, they are championing the solutions. With YCC 2.0, The Body Shop India continues to strengthen its stance as a leader in ethical, sustainable, and inclusive beauty.”
India’s youth stand at the forefront of the fight for a sustainable and just future. The Body Shop’s Youth Collective Council 2.0 continues a powerful movement that entrusts young changemakers with the responsibility and opportunity to shape the business and communities. By embracing their ideas, passion, and commitment, The Body Shop reaffirms the belief that real change comes from empowering the next generation.