New Delhi: Global professional services firm PwC has appointed Lynne Baber as its new Global Sustainability Leader, entrusting her with leading the firm’s worldwide sustainability strategy and expanding its global sustainability advisory practice.
Baber succeeds Colm Kelly, who is retiring after serving as PwC’s Global Sustainability Leader since 2020. The leadership transition comes as sustainability, climate risk, and ESG considerations become increasingly integrated into business strategy and corporate decision-making worldwide.
Lynne Baber Takes Charge of PwC’s Global Sustainability Strategy
Lynne Baber brings more than 20 years of experience at PwC, having joined the firm in 2003.
During her tenure, she has held several senior leadership positions focused on sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) services. Most recently, she served as:
- PwC UK Sustainability Leader (since 2022)
- Global Sustainability Deputy Leader (since early 2025)
Her appointment reflects PwC’s continued focus on helping businesses navigate rapidly evolving sustainability regulations, climate-related risks, and ESG reporting requirements.
Leadership Transition Follows Colm Kelly’s Retirement
Baber succeeds Colm Kelly, who has led PwC’s global sustainability practice since 2020.
During his tenure, Kelly played a key role in expanding the firm’s sustainability capabilities while supporting organizations worldwide in addressing climate change, decarbonisation, responsible business practices, and ESG transformation.
The leadership transition comes at a time when sustainability has become a strategic priority for companies across industries.
Sustainability Now Central to Business Strategy
Commenting on her appointment, Lynne Baber highlighted the expanding role sustainability plays in shaping modern businesses.
She noted that sustainability is increasingly connected to:
- Corporate strategy
- Enterprise risk management
- Business operations
- Technology transformation
- Supply chain resilience
- Capital allocation
- Corporate trust and reputation
According to Baber, businesses are increasingly viewing sustainability as a core driver of long-term value creation rather than simply a regulatory or compliance requirement.
Focus on Supporting Clients Through ESG Transformation
As Global Sustainability Leader, Baber will oversee PwC’s efforts to support clients as they respond to changing sustainability expectations from investors, regulators, customers, and other stakeholders.
Her responsibilities will include helping organizations:
- Develop sustainability strategies
- Navigate ESG regulations
- Advance climate transition plans
- Improve sustainability reporting
- Strengthen governance frameworks
- Integrate sustainability into business operations
She will also lead PwC’s own sustainability commitments and initiatives across its global operations.
Growing Demand for Sustainability Advisory Services
The appointment comes as organizations worldwide face increasing pressure to address climate change, decarbonisation, biodiversity, responsible supply chains, and ESG disclosures.
Businesses are also preparing for evolving sustainability regulations, including mandatory climate reporting and broader environmental reporting standards across several global markets.
Professional services firms such as PwC continue expanding their sustainability advisory capabilities to help organizations manage these complex challenges while identifying new business opportunities linked to the low-carbon economy.
Outlook
Lynne Baber’s appointment as PwC’s Global Sustainability Leader reflects the growing importance of sustainability in corporate leadership and long-term business strategy.
As ESG considerations become increasingly integrated into finance, operations, technology, risk management and investment decisions, global advisory firms are expected to play a critical role in helping organizations build resilient, responsible and future-ready businesses.
With sustainability continuing to reshape industries worldwide, PwC’s leadership transition signals the firm’s commitment to strengthening its global sustainability capabilities while supporting clients through the next phase of the global ESG transformation.
