Joanne Allen

Commercially focused ESG and sustainability leader with over 20 years' experience designing and implementing sustainability strategies, governance frameworks and ESG programmes across financial services, consultancy and international corporate organisations. A proven track record of translating sustainability ambition into practical operational delivery, embedding ESG into business processes, governance, procurement, supplier engagement and organisational decision-making. Experienced in leading complex change programmes, delivering measurable environmental and social outcomes, and influencing executive leadership teams across multi-site and international organisations.

Recognised for building collaborative relationships across operations, compliance, procurement, finance, risk and commercial teams to integrate sustainability into day-to-day business activities. Extensive experience delivering carbon reduction programmes, sustainability reporting, stakeholder engagement and regulatory compliance while driving continuous improvement and organisational performance. Passionate about creating practical sustainability solutions that strengthen supply chains, improve environmental performance, enhance social value and deliver lasting business value.

Independent Sustainability & ESG Consultant

(2025-03)

Providing senior strategic sustainability consultancy, executive education and organisational capability development for leading institutions.

• Facilitate executive education programmes through the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.
• Developing sustainability capability programmes for UK organisations through professional qualifications and apprenticeship programmes.
• Providing strategic advice on ESG governance, climate change, reporting and organisational transformation.

Senior Sustainability Manager - Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB)

(2023-11 - 2025-03)

Led the development and implementation of the Bank's enterprise-wide Sustainability and Decarbonisation Strategy, embedding ESG and climate considerations throughout business operations, governance and enterprise risk management.

• Developed and implemented a bank-wide ESG and Decarbonisation Strategy aligned to corporate objectives.
• Embedded ESG into operational decision-making, governance and Enterprise Risk Management.
• Directed cross-functional sustainability working group and programme delivery across the organisation.
• Developed ESG performance measures, KPIs and Executive reporting dashboards.
• Introduced carbon accounting capability, including financed emissions measurement.
• Led climate risk management aligned with PRA SS3/19 and TCFD together with readiness for TPT & UK SRS.
• Delivered Board and Executive training to build organisational ESG capability.
• Represented the Bank with regulators, industry forums and external stakeholders.

Independent ESG & Sustainability Consultant

(2023-04 - 2023-11)

• Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL): Assessor - Executive Sustainability Programmes
• Nomura / University of Sheffield: Advisory position for academic research project on global ESG & sustainable finance regulation and practice in East & South-East Asia.

Technical Director – ESG & Sustainable Finance - Sustainability Excellence (UAE)

(2022-07 - 2023-03)

Senior leadership role with the Middle East's leading sustainability consultancy and ESG Ratings Agency, leading multidisciplinary consulting teams, commercial delivery and complex consulting programmes for listed corporates, financial institutions and stock exchanges across the GCC.

• Led multidisciplinary teams delivering ESG strategy, implementation and sustainability reporting programmes.
• Managed major client engagements from proposal through delivery, budget management and quality assurance.
• Delivered carbon reduction strategies, Science Based Targets implementation and climate transition roadmaps.
• Directed materiality assessments, ESG benchmarking and stakeholder engagement programmes.
• Led ESG Ratings readiness and reporting aligned to CDP, GRI, TCFD, CSRD and IFRS Sustainability Standards.
• Worked closely with clients to embed sustainability into procurement, governance and operational decision-making.
• Delivered executive workshops and organisational capability programmes.
• Supported commercial growth through proposals, client presentations and strategic business development.

Independent ESG Consultant – ESG Integration & Corporate Sustainability

(2015 - 2023)

Delivered strategic sustainability consultancy to organisations across financial services, infrastructure, manufacturing, real estate, engineering, water, environmental services, charitable foundations and international NGOs.

• Responsible procurement
• Supply Chain Management
• ESG strategy development
• Climate risk
• Social Value measurement
• ESG reporting
• Materiality assessments
• ESG ratings
• Circular economy
• Stakeholder engagement
• Corporate governance
• Responsible investment
• Executive advisory

Head of ESG Investments - The Co-operative Asset Management (now Royal London)

Directed award-winning ESG Investment strategy across multi-asset investment portfolios with responsibility for ESG integration, governance and committee management. Created innovative sustainability investment funds. Led Executive engagement with FTSE-listed companies. Managed specialist teams and departmental budgets. Represented the organisation through UKSIF, IIGCC, UNPRI, GRI and other international initiatives.

Head of ESG Research - Global Risk Management (acquired by Fitch)

Responsible Investment Consultant - VigeoEiris (now Moody's ESG)

BA (Hons) - Economics & Politics - University of Sheffield

SA8000 - Qualified Social Auditor

Associate Diploma - Environmental Management - IEMA

Sustainable Finance & Business Sustainability - Cambridge CISL

Project Management - Oxford Open Learning

Postgrad Diploma - Public Relations - CIPR