Norton Rose Fulbright appoints first head of sustainability in Europe, Middle East and Asia

Norton Rose Fulbright LLP (Europe, Middle East and Asia) has appointed Caroline May as its first head of sustainability. 

Caroline’s role is to ensure that the firm in Europe, Middle East and Asia integrates sustainability best practice into all of its operational activities, decision-making and professional services. Key initiatives will include establishing Net Zero targets as the firm continues to transition to a low carbon model and an Environmental Business Charter to embed the firm’s commitments and principles as a sustainable business.

Caroline May is the head of the firm’s environment, health and safety practice for Europe, Middle East and Asia and is based in London. She has over 30 years of experience of both contentious and non-contentious environmental law, and has advised on numerous precedent-setting matters. Her work has involved liaison with government, relevant regulatory authorities, NGOs and lobby groups.

Caroline is the Chair of the Law Society Working Group on climate change and is a member of the Steering Group for the Chancery Lane Project, the collaborative effort of lawyers from around the world to develop new contracts and model laws to help fight climate change. She is also co-chair of the Legal Sustainability Alliance, the leading sustainability network for the UK legal sector.  

Caroline is also on the Board of Directors for the Aldersgate Group, a politically impartial, multi-stakeholder alliance championing a competitive and environmentally sustainable economy. It advocates the business case for decarbonising the UK economy, improving resource efficiency and investing in the natural environment.

Caroline May commented: “I’m delighted to be appointed the firm’s first head of sustainability in our region and look forward to working with colleagues to ensure that environmental and social sustainability is at the heart of everything we do as a business.”

Peter Scott, managing partner, Europe, Middle East and Asia at Norton Rose Fulbright, commented: “Sustainability is key to our strategy and we want to shape the firm to uphold our commitment to sustainable practice for our people, our clients and our communities. Caroline brings to her new role a wealth of practical experience that will help us take concrete steps to operate in a more sustainable way.”

In July, Caroline spearheaded the firm’s first climate action hackathon in London which explored new ideas to deliver climate solutions for the firm’s legal precedents and sustainability management.