WILL MCDONALD

SUSTAINABILITY, CLIMATE, NATURE, PEOPLE, PLANET

Ilkley Moor at the summer solstice

I’m a sustainability and public policy expert, working across sectors. I specialise in helping companies, NGOs and policymakers drive better nature and climate outcomes. I spent 10 years at Aviva plc, as Group Director of Sustainability and Public Policy. I led the work (with my jobshare partner) on Aviva’s world leading sustainability strategy. Prior to that I spent a decade in Westminster, including as a Special Adviser in HM Treasury and DWP.

I have degrees from Harvard and Leeds, and a Postgrad Diploma in Conservation Management (and 6 happy months as a Ranger in the Dales). I also work on fatherhood, men and equality, and am a Trustee of the Fatherhood Institute.

If you think I might be able to help, please get in touch.

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www.linkedin.com/in/willmcdonald-sustainability

20+ years of experience

Across policymaking, business and NGOs

Sustainability

I help organisations navigate to a sustainable future – investments, strategy, operations, people, governance and policies

Policymaking

I help all stakeholders understand and deliver good public policy and regulation for a sustainable future

Building a deer and sheep fence on a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust / WWF UK / Natural England project, with Ingleborough in the background

How can I help you? Some examples of recent projects I have worked on…
- Delivery of practical Nature Finance training to environmental NGOs and others Nature Finance – A Course For eNGOs
- Research into the current status and drivers of demand side of nature – see link for Report and webinar recording Esmee Fairbairn Driving demand: business action on nature
- Development of a guide to all flows of money from the private sector into nature Esmee Fairbairn: Guide to Nature Finance
- Project manager and researcher on WWF UK report on to what more the Bank of England could do on climate and nature Too Hot To Handle
- Jointly facilitated a Netherlands-UK bilateral roundtable on growing nature finance at the Dutch Embassy Netherlands UK Roundtable on Nature Finance
- Co-authored the Association of British Insurers’ Guide to Action on Nature, the ABI’s most downloaded publication that year.
- Worked with Nature North to develop their understanding and approach to the private sector, and contributed to the publication of Investing in Nature for the North, A Strategic Plan for a Nature Positive Regional Economy.
- Member of the Transition Plan Taskforce Nature Working Group, as WWF UK, for the development and publication of The Future for Nature in Transition Planning.
- Project managed WWF UK’s research on why and how the Bank of England can do more for climate and nature (forthcoming).
- Developed a series of practical recommendations for action on nature, building on the Dasgupta Review (private client).
- Subject Matter Expert supporting Imperial College Business School to launch Sustainable Finance and Investing course, and University of Texas McCombs School of Business’ Sustainability Leadership Program and Managing the Energy Transition.

What people say about working with me …

Andy Briggs, Group CEO of Phoenix

“I’ve always enjoyed working with Will – he’s smart, on top of his brief and focused on what’s needed. A pleasure to work with. “

Amanda Mackenzie, CEO of Business in the Community

“Will is incredibly talented. He has a unique combination of experiences and has delivered very successfully in the commercial, policy and regulatory worlds where he has shown real leadership. He is a joy to work with and will be an asset in your team. I couldn’t recommend him too highly.”

Huw Evans, Partner KPMG and former Director General of the Association of British Insurers (ABI)

“I worked with Will over a number of years as the industry went through some significant changes and challenges. As a senior leader in one of the largest firms, Will was always quick to grasp the big picture and help drive the industry towards better outcomes. He had a reputation across the sector, policymakers and NGOs as someone you could work with and who would get things done.”

Pauliina Murphy, Engagement Director, World Benchmarking Alliance

“Having worked with Will in a number of roles I’ve directly experienced and been motivate by the knowledge and passion he brings to every project. It’s always been a pleasure to work with someone who can focus on outcomes and impact, and bring out the best in people along the way.”

Rachael Bice, Chief Executive, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

“Will has helped us to clarify our priorities, work more effectively with limited resources and to upskill our team. He thinks strategically while providing practical solutions and uses his wealth of experience to focus on what’s most important.“

Dr Bruce Howard, Director, Ecosystems Knowledge Network

“As soon as we started working with Will, we felt like we had found the best of team members. He takes ‘ownership’ of issues, pays attention to detail and is certainly a ‘glass half full’ type of person.”

Karen Ellis, Chief Economist, WWF UK

“It’s been great working with Will, as he has supported WWF’s work on a range of sustainable finance topics over the years. He is an insightful and strategic thinker, who really gets the big picture while also being able to focus down and get practical results. He has been an invaluable advisor, sounding board, delivery partner and source of ideas!”

Kirsty Cooper CBE

“I thoroughly enjoyed working with Will and look back with pride at what we delivered in the time we worked together at Aviva. It is a real skill being able to navigate the world of sustainability, while at the same time focusing on what the company needed to deliver for shareholders, customers and internally. Will does this really well and manages all stakeholders effortlessly.”