02.03.2023

Grace Rawnsley joins Port of London Authority as director of sustainability

The Port of London Authority (PLA) has appointed Grace Rawnsley as its first director of sustainability.

Grace has joined the PLA from the City of London Corporation, where she was climate action programme director.

As director of sustainability, Grace reports to PLA’s chief executive, Robin Mortimer. The role has been created to lead on the sustainability commitments in Thames Vision 2050. These include: the transition to Net Zero emissions across the PLA and wider port; cleaning up the river; sustaining the habitats and species in a living Thames; and managing the impacts of climate change as the PLA works with partners to shape a resilient Thames.

Robin Mortimer, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Grace as our new director of sustainability. We have committed to a substantial environmental agenda in Thames Vision 2050, including cleaning the Thames and supporting emissions reduction. As an experienced specialist in climate action and sustainability, Grace is well-placed to work with our customers and wider stakeholder community to take this important work forward.”

At the City Corporation, Grace led their work on responsible business and the learning and engagement offer in their open spaces. Prior to the City, Grace managed the Rhoko Forest Research and Education Centre in Nigeria, worked at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and was a freshwater ecosystem researcher at the University of Toronto.

Grace took up her role on 20 February 2023.