Claire exemplifies the spirit of the LSA Climate Heroes Award through her sustained commitment to driving meaningful, measurable environmental change within her firm and across the wider legal profession. 

She has embedded sustainability into the DNA of Winston Taylor, developing a comprehensive framework spanning carbon reduction, responsible procurement, circular resource management and cultural engagement. She led the firm’s commitment to the Climate Pledge for Net Zero by 2040, established science-based targets and introduced robust governance and third-party assured data processes to strengthen accountability. Her decarbonisation programme has translated complex emissions data into a clear, actionable multi-year plan, driving reductions through energy efficiency, renewable energy procurement and significantly reduced business travel, while embedding sustainability into supplier selection and the refurbishment of the London office at 5 New Street Square. 

Claire has also transformed the firm’s sustainability culture. Through training, communications, volunteering and a network of sustainability champions across departments and seniority levels, she has made environmental responsibility a shared commitment rather than a specialist function. 

Her influence extends well beyond her own organisation. Through active involvement with the LSA, Legal Charter 1.5 and the Sustainable Markets Initiative, she champions collaboration and collective action across the legal sector. She also supports lawyers, colleagues and clients in navigating ESG challenges, regulatory expectations and sustainable business transformation. 

Claire’s leadership was recognised when Taylor Wessing (which began trading as Winston Taylor in June 2026) was named Lamp House’s overall Responsible Business Leader for 2025. Her achievement demonstrates how ambitious targets, rigorous measurement and genuine cultural change can combine to make a lasting contribution to climate action. 

Louise has played a central role in embedding biodiversity into CMS’s Responsible Business strategy, developing and scaling its bees and biodiversity programme from the ground up since 2022. What began as a single UK initiative has grown into an international programme spanning 16 CMS locations, including London, Oman, Beijing, Budapest and Edinburgh.

Her leadership goes far beyond introducing beehives. Recognising the complexity of urban ecosystems, Louise has ensured the programme takes a broader approach to biodiversity, raising awareness of the importance of diverse pollinator species and habitat protection. Through initiatives including the CMS Bee Team, colleague participation and hands-on learning, she has engaged employees and clients in practical climate and nature action, making sustainability visible and accessible across the firm.

Louise has also extended the programme’s impact beyond the workplace, using it as a platform for education, collaboration and community engagement. Through partnerships with organisations including Young Citizens, Pollinating London Together and Stepney City Farm, she has helped create award-winning resources, citizen science opportunities and hands-on biodiversity education programmes that engage colleagues, young people and local communities. She has also linked the programme to wider conservation outcomes through fundraising initiatives such as CMS honey sales, ensuring the benefits extend beyond CMS itself.

Through these initiatives, Louise has delivered tangible environmental, cultural and educational impact. She has enhanced biodiversity around CMS offices, connected colleagues to citizen science through activities such as the Annual Pollinator Count, and built partnerships that extend well beyond the firm. Most importantly, she has demonstrated how a law firm can take meaningful action on biodiversity while engaging people and communities at scale, creating a platform for wider influence and nature-positive change.