Sue is one of the world’s leading experts in developing sustainability strategy in major companies, aligning it with business objectives, and embedding it across the business. She is an independent advisor on sustainability strategy, working with major businesses that are seeking to step up on their sustainability ambitions and performance.

She complements her client work by advising three sustainability related organisations on a pro-bono basis.

Until Autumn 2018, she was EVP Sustainable Business and Communications at Unilever.

At Unilever, Sue was responsible for leading and embedding the company’s ambitious USLP (Unilever Sustainable Living Plan) into the business and ensuring delivery against its 70-plus time bound targets. She was also responsible for teams in 180 markets who engage with Governments and key external stakeholders; lead employee engagement; handle the media; and are accountable for issues and crisis management. She was part of the four-strong executive team that led the rebuttal of the hostile takeover bid by Kraft Heinz in 2017.

In particular, Sue was responsible for establishing sustainability as a driver of brand growth. By the end of 2018 its ‘Sustainable Living Brands’ were growing 67% faster than its other brands and represented 70% of the company’s growth.

Sue was one of the founders of the independent not for profit organisation, Blueprint for Better Business, and remains a Trustee. She is a Fellow at the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, a Visiting Fellow at Cranfield School of Business Management, and a Fellow of the RSA.

Sue’s earlier career includes two spells in the public sector, and roles in advertising and public affairs agencies. Sue’s role prior to Unilever was as a Director General at the Department of Work and Pensions, where she led customer strategy and communications.