New ESG hires at fintech payment provider GoCardless
GoCardless, a payments firm used by peer-to-peer platforms including Funding Circle, has announced two new senior hires to boost its environmental, social and governance (ESG) credentials.
Ben Knight has been named head of environmental sustainability, and Lena Tailor has been appointed director of diversity and inclusion.
Knight previously worked at the space and telecommunications company OneWeb. In his new role, he will lead the fintech’s drive towards reaching net zero as a founding member of the Tech Zero initiative.
“The role of fintech in the net zero transition – and wider sustainable development – is huge,” he said. “I’m excited to join GoCardless, a company with commitment to this mission from the highest levels and employees that are already enthusiastic about sustainability.
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“My aim is to develop a sector-leading strategy that is ambitious and transparent, delivers measurable change aligned with science, and helps create value for customers, society and the natural environment.”
Tailor spent nine years at innocent drinks, where she focused on diversity and inclusion. At GoCardless, she will spearhead the company’s efforts around diversity and inclusion by assessing GoCardless’ current practices, defining clear objectives and a strategy to achieve them, and working hand-in-hand with the fintech’s existing employee resources groups.
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“Although the tech industry is known for being innovative on many fronts, it’s currently not a leader in diversity and inclusion,” Tailor said.
“But, I’m confident GoCardless can pave the way because our approach so far has shown a level of commitment and investment in making real progress.
“In this role I hope to make diversity and inclusion inherent in how we do business and for everyone at GoCardless — to know our strategy and talk about it with pride internally and externally; to be equipped and comfortable to have brave, safe and open conversations; and to be inspired to make big and small changes to build more diverse and inclusive environments everywhere. I’m excited to get started.”
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