Lloyds Banking Group Hires Khadija Ali as Group Director of Sustainability: 4 Things to Know

Lloyds Banking Group has hired EY (Ernst & Young) veteran Khadija Ali as group director, sustainability and responsible business. This is her second tour of duty with the bank.

Khadija reports to Chief Sustainability Officer Andrew Walton. Both Ali and Walton now join the newly elected Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) Steering Group, following the recent member election, where they will "work with industry peers on the delivery of the NZBA’s global commitments to help accelerate the journey to net zero by 2050, or sooner."

Here are four things to know about Ali's experience and expertise, and Lloyd Banking Group's sustainability strategy.

1. Business Scope and Scale: Lloyds Banking Group, founded as Taylors & Lloyds in 1765, is based in London, United Kingdom. The company, Britain's largest mortgage lender, had 27 million customers and 63,000 employees as of December 2023.

2. Sustainability Goals: According to the company's 2023 Sustainability Report, Lloyds Banking Group is striving to:

• Reduce the carbon emissions it finances by more than 50% by 2030.
• Reduce supply chain emissions by 50% by 2030, with a path to net-zero by 2050 or sooner.
• Achieve net-zero operations by 2030, and reduce direct carbon emissions by at least 90%.

Example points of progress include:

• June 2024: Lloyds Banking Group opened a hub in Leeds city centre, located in the most energy-efficient office building in Yorkshire. The building features an all-electric reversible air source heat pump system, air-cooled chillers, triple-glazed windows, and a 7,500 square foot solar panel farm. 
• June 2024: The company also is renovating its head office, located in 33 Old Broad Street, in pursuit of net-zero.

3. Executive Focus and Experience: In the newly created role, Khadija Ali is responsible for leading the Group’s Social Sustainability and Environmental Sustainability teams. She reports to Chief Sustainability Officer Andrew Walton.

Ali previously led EY's UK Climate Change and Sustainability Services practice and advised global financial institutions on sustainability-focused strategic initiatives, including target setting, climate transition planning, commercial strategy, responsible business, and disclosures, Lloyds Banking Group notes. Earlier, she was interim director of environmental sustainability (2021-2022) at Lloyds Banking Group.

4. Executive Perspectives: In a prepared statement, CSO Andrew Walton said: “We are delighted that Khadija has joined us as our Group Director of Sustainability and Responsibility. I’m confident that her leadership will help us to push the pace and ambition of our delivery, progressing our strategy and working towards our net zero commitments”.

Added Ali: “It’s a privilege to join Lloyds Banking Group and I’m excited to work for an organisation that is committed to using its scale and influence to drive lasting change. Mobilising finance is key to transitioning to a more sustainable future. I’m looking forward to progressing the Group’s ambitious strategy and maximising opportunities for growth as part of the Group’s purpose to help Britain prosper.”

Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs): Why Technology Partners Should Care

By 2027, 25% of Global 2000 companies will have assigned a chief sustainability officer (CSO) responsible for meeting their organization’s ESG goals and making ESG-related IT purchasing decisions, according to IDC.

The bottom line: Technology partners need to extend their sales, marketing, engagement and support strategies to successfully fulfill those CSO customer needs, Sustainable Tech Partner believes.