Rachel Richardson
Macfarlanes
Rachel Richardson serves as the head of ESG at Macfarlanes, where her engagement extends to co-leading the firm’s ESG working group and chairing the ESG steering committee. In these roles, she provides expert advice on ESG matters, develops internal policies, and oversees the firm’s ESG training and public policy initiatives.
Her legal practice is centred on ESG guidance and training, with a notable focus on sustainable finance. Her expertise in this area is underpinned by her certificate in sustainable finance from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. Specialising in nature-based solutions, biodiversity, and carbon credit generation and utilisation, Richardson also often leads cross-practice ESG initiatives, including B-Corp accreditation.
She recently collaborated with the UN PRI and the Alternative Credit Council on the UN PRI’s Responsible Investment DDQ for Private Debt Investors. She is also a prominent thought leader, regularly authoring articles on topics such as corporate sustainability and ESG reporting. Besides leading the firm’s ESG-related podcasts, she also speaks regularly at industry events and conferences on topics such as ESG and greenwashing.