Net zero vow leads commitments as Bevan Brittan introduces new Responsible Business team

Leading commercial law firm, Bevan Brittan has reinforced its commitment to sustainability and social impact with the appointment of two key Responsible Business hires.

Tamsin Danby joins as Head of Responsible Business and Connie Heathfield takes on the role of Environmental Sustainability Manager.  The team is led by Judith Hopper, Partner and Board lead for Responsible Business.  

Tamsin, who will be based in Leeds, brings over 15 years of experience in driving sustainable growth and ethical business practice.  With previous roles at Freshfields and as Director of the UN’s Global Compact Network in the UK, as well as a fellowship of the Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, Tamsin has significant experience of ESG reporting and diversity and inclusion. She is also Chair of the ProManchester Social Mobility Committee.

Tamsin will oversee the business’ four Responsible Business Strands; Community Engagement, Environmental Sustainability, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Wellbeing.  

Connie’s focus will be on managing Bevan Brittan’s carbon reduction plan, with the firm having already committed to reaching net zero by 2040.  Connie joins from sustainability and energy consultancy JRP Solutions and will be based in Bristol.  She has worked in both the public and private sector and has experience in carbon accounting as well as sustainable supply chain management through her work helping businesses and organisations move towards net zero.

Following work completed by colleagues in recent years, all four of Bevan Brittan’s offices are now powered solely by renewable energy.  Its continued focus on sustainability has also earned it recognition in the prestigious Legal 500 Green Guide* for the second year running, acknowledging its position as an environmental leader in the sector.

Judith said: “I am delighted to welcome Tamsin and Connie to Bevan Brittan.  Their arrival, and considerable experience shows the importance we attach to our responsibility as a business.

“We are very proud of what we have achieved to date and the positive impact we have had, be that through our charitable giving, carbon reduction/sustainability work or contribution to social mobility projects. Now, with a dedicated team we can achieve even more and continue to make an improved difference in our communities.”

Tamsin said: “Bevan Brittan has long been known as a responsible business with a great culture and my role will be to preserve and develop this as we continue on our impressive growth trajectory.

“Diversity, inclusion and social impact, are all important issues in the modern workplace. Judith and the wider business have made significant progress in delivering the responsible business programme and I am looking forward to developing that even further.” 

Connie added: “Bevan Brittan has already rightly been recognised for its work and commitment to sustainability and I am excited about building on this, working with Tamsin, Judith and our colleagues.

“To achieve sustained and impactful growth, sustainability should be embedded into an organisation’s culture through innovation and collaboration. It is clear that this has happened already here and that gives us a great basis to drive this even further.”

Responsible Business is embedded in Bevan Brittan’s identity. As part of its commitment to contribute to local communities, it makes an annual donation which is shared between its four office charities. In the last two years this has reached a record amount of £100,000.