Laura Barlow is the Group Head of Sustainability at Barclays, leading the bank’s strategy, policy and implementation programmes on climate change, ESG and sustainability. She serves as a member of the Banking Board of the United Nations Environment Programme – Finance Initiative.
Laura has an extensive track record in leading complex businesses and driving strategic transformation for multinational corporations and financial institutions. Before joining Barclays in April 2021, Laura was Head of Corporate and Institutional Banking at NatWest Group and executive sponsor of climate strategy and Climate and Sustainable Finance. Previous roles at NatWest included Interim Group Chief Risk Officer and Head of Restructuring and serving as a Trustee of the bank’s pension scheme.
Prior to joining NatWest in 2010, Laura had over 20 years’ experience in strategy, financial and operational restructuring and turnaround as an adviser, principal and investor for UK and international corporations across multiple sectors including energy, financial services, retail and consumer, logistics and transportation.