Katie Leach has joined Lloyds Banking Group in the newly created role of Group Head of Nature. In her new role, Leach will be responsible for leading the development of the Lloyds’ strategic position on nature, working alongside business teams to “ensure nature is embedded in decision making across the Group”. Lloyds’ Nature team will identify and manage nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks and opportunities, in line with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures framework and establish a centre of knowledge on the natural environment. The team will also oversee the development of a group wide baseline and reporting metrics, and setting “tangible and clear” targets for the Group to deliver on. Leach moves to Lloyds from responsible investment NGO ShareAction, where she was responsible for developing and leading a new programme of work with banks and investors to raise the profile of biodiversity loss. Prior to joining ShareAction, she spent six years at the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre as Senior Programme Officer, Business and Biodiversity, leading a portfolio of work to embed nature within corporate and financial decision making. Rebecca Heaton, Director of Environmental Sustainability at Lloyds, said: “We know that nature is an essential piece of the puzzle when it comes to tackling climate change. Katie’s enthusiasm and technical expertise in such an important area will be key in supporting the team’s delivery of our overall sustainability strategy.”
