WELLINGTON, 29 January 2016 - Abbie Reynolds has been appointed as the Sustainable Business Council’s new Executive Director where she will continue to build its successful work leading sustainable business practices in New Zealand.

The Sustainable Business Council has 85 members, including some of New Zealand’s largest companies. Its membership now accounts for about a third of private sector GDP.

Abbie, who currently leads the Vodafone Foundation and is Head of Sustainability at Vodafone says she is looking forward to the challenge: “The Sustainable Business Council’s work has had a significant impact on supporting New Zealand businesses to be more sustainable. It’s a privilege to be able to build on the great work that has been done to date and to ensure we have the right environment to move further and faster in the future.”

In her role, Abbie will champion the interests of businesses who are advancing their sustainability. This includes driving action on climate change, governance, social impact and ecosystem health. She will also continue to grow the organisation’s focus on mainstreaming sustainable business practices throughout New Zealand.

Abbie brings with her a depth of expertise in social, financial and environmental sustainability within business. Previously she has led sustainability and regulatory work at Spark, the UK’s Cable & Wireless and as a resource management/environment solicitor for Bell Gully. She has a proven track record of delivering results in sustainable business development.

The current Executive Director, Penny Nelson, is leaving to take up the position of Deputy Secretary, Sector Strategy at the Ministry for the Environment in late February.