Abhay deserves recognition for his leadership in embedding ESG into Weightmans’ core business strategy and delivering measurable impact across the firm, its clients and the wider community. As Head of ESG, he has developed and advanced the firm’s four-pillar ESG approach, covering environmental stewardship, social impact, responsible business and governance. This has enabled sustainability to become embedded in both operational decision-making and client advisory services. 

Under Abhay’s leadership, Weightmans has made significant progress in its ESG maturity, most notably moving from an EcoVadis Bronze rating in 2022 to Gold in 2025, placing the firm in the top 2% globally. He has also introduced the firm’s first ESG policy, climate risk assessment and sustainability report, aligned with recognised reporting standards, while strengthening responsible procurement and supporting alignment with SBTi ambitions. 

Abhay has driven practical, data-led action through the creation of a firm-wide Net Zero dashboard, providing office-level carbon insights to enable targeted emissions reductions. He established an ESG champions network and introduced a gamified Net Zero Engagement Index, turning sustainability into a shared responsibility and encouraging employees to take action through initiatives including electronic recycling, climate screenings and Earth Hour and World Environment Day activities. 

His influence extends beyond Weightmans. He co-authored the first ESG guide for UK insurance brokers with BIBA and advises clients on issues including greenwashing, modern slavery, climate risk, sustainability disclosures and emerging regulation. 

Through strategic leadership, innovation and collaboration, Abhay has transformed ESG from a specialist function into an organisation-wide priority, delivering lasting environmental, cultural and business impact. 

Mat has made a significant and sustained contribution to the progression of the firm’s environmental work, consistently working behind the scenes to strengthen Womble Bond Dickinson’s approach and never seeking the spotlight. His commitment, expertise and collaborative nature have helped establish a stronger foundation for environmental action across the organisation. 

A key achievement has been Mat’s leadership in onboarding the Normative platform and rebaselining environmental data. This involved extensive data collection, validation and management, bringing greater consistency and rigour to how the firm measures and reports environmental performance. He also coordinated the submission of the organisation’s first Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) targets, engaging stakeholders across the business and presenting the rationale and proposed targets to the Board. 

Alongside these significant projects, Mat has supported the development and growth of the environmental function and its management processes. He works closely with colleagues across multiple teams, building relationships, gathering information and helping to turn environmental priorities into practical action. 

The impact of Mat’s work has been substantial. He has established a more formal and consistent approach to environmental data management and reporting, strengthened governance and accountability, and enabled the organisation to progress its environmental strategy through the SBTi target-setting process. His work has also increased awareness and engagement with environmental priorities across the business. 

Mat’s contribution is particularly valuable because of the way he works: collaboratively, thoughtfully and without seeking recognition. He has quietly built the systems, relationships and processes that are enabling the organisation to make more credible, informed and ambitious progress on environmental sustainability. 

Dan has demonstrated exceptional leadership in turning climate ambition into credible, measurable progress since joining the firm in 2022. In just four years, he has established a comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory covering Scopes 1, 2 and 3, strengthened emissions management and built the foundations for long-term decarbonisation. This work enabled an independently assessed baseline and the submission and subsequent approval of science-based Near-Term and Net Zero targets by the SBTi, a milestone first discussed in November 2023, formally committed to in February 2024, submitted in February 2026 and now successfully achieved. 

His impact is demonstrated through significant measurable achievements. Dan led the firm to ISO 14001 certification with zero non-conformances across all UK and Ireland offices, delivered three CCS-verified Carbon Reduction Plans, and helped increase its EcoVadis environmental score from 40 to 82 in just three years. He has also driven strong colleague engagement, achieving 80% participation in the firm’s commuting survey. 

Dan combines technical expertise with creativity and an ability to bring people with him. He established the Sustainability Steering Group and Green Network, developed community and supply-chain partnerships, and has led successful firm-wide World Environment Day initiatives. His 2026 #WED100 campaign generated 163 volunteering hours across six offices, involving 71 participants. 

What sets Dan apart is his humility and collaborative approach. He consistently gives credit to others, builds engagement and creates a culture in which sustainability is collectively owned rather than the responsibility of one team. He has been a trusted and constructive voice for colleagues and senior leadership alike. 

Through robust data, strong governance, measurable results and authentic leadership, Dan has transformed sustainability from an aspiration into an organisation-wide priority and positioned the firm for meaningful, long-term environmental change. 

Diane Gilhooley has established herself as a leading voice in helping organisations navigate an increasingly complex and fragmented sustainability landscape. As Global Co-Head of Eversheds Sutherland’s Sustainability & ESG group, she leads a global team of 350 lawyers advising clients on sustainability risks and opportunities, helping them integrate sustainability into strategy, governance and decision-making. 

Recognising the significant challenge businesses face in keeping pace with rapidly evolving sustainability regulation across jurisdictions, Diane conceived and spearheaded SustainREG, the firm’s award-winning sustainability platform. She led the initiative from concept to delivery, creating an innovative solution that enables organisations to monitor global developments, identify emerging risks and opportunities, and make informed decisions. 

Launched in 2024, SustainREG is underpinned by a database maintained by lawyers and a dedicated ESG research team, covering more than 800 ESG laws and regulations worldwide. In 2025 alone, it generated 47 bespoke reports, delivered 1,678 pages of regulatory analysis, onboarded 16 new clients and achieved a 235% increase in adoption. Its impact spans sectors including financial services, energy, consumer and retail, and life sciences. 

Diane has played a pivotal role in broadening organisations’ understanding of sustainability beyond regulatory compliance. Drawing on more than 30 years’ experience in employment and workforce matters, she has championed the integration of human rights, labour standards, health and safety, organisational culture and workforce strategy into the sustainability agenda. Her leadership has strengthened Eversheds Sutherland’s ability to provide coordinated, multidisciplinary advice and has helped clients navigate sustainability as a strategic, rather than simply regulatory, priority. 

Paul has been instrumental in embedding sustainability into Travers Smith’s operations and supply chain, driving meaningful change through a practical, evidence-based approach. His work has reduced emissions, supported nature restoration, and established a lasting framework for more sustainable procurement. 

Drawing on 30 years of experience at Travers Smith and a strong understanding of environmental impact and law firm operations, Paul recognised the firm’s influence as a purchaser and championed a new approach to sustainability from the top down. He helped establish the firm’s sustainability governance structure, upskilled colleagues, challenged supplier claims and built collaborative relationships across the supply chain. His influence has extended beyond the firm, sharing his experience and encouraging peers to use their purchasing power to drive positive environmental outcomes. 

Paul has delivered tangible results. He introduced sustainability interviews into the procurement process, requiring suppliers to provide evidence to substantiate their environmental claims. This has led to changes in supplier selection and significant reductions in environmental impact. One example is 86% of the firm’s beef and chicken is sourced from net-zero farms in the Lake District that protect the land and biodiversity by avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilisers. He has also supported the 100% removal of endangered fish species from menus, by developing a procurement approach that follows guidance from the Marine Conservation Society’s ‘Good Fish Guide’ and is aligned to the Marine Stewardship Council standard, promoted the use of surplus and rejected vegetables, and introduced closed-loop, 100% recycled paper towels that reduces waste turning used paper hand towels into new paper products.   

Paul also led the firm’s successful ISO 14001 environmental management certification and its first full carbon footprint aligned with ISO 14064, creating robust foundations for continued improvement.