Legal & General Capital hires UKGBC’s John Alker as Head of Sustainability

Joining the business on 9 August, this senior appointment demonstrates LGC’s commitment to protecting our planet by driving tangible and meaningful change across the diverse sectors it operates in – from its net zero carbon housing commitment to its levelling up agenda, transforming towns and cities across the UK.

With over 15 years’ experience in the sector, John joins the business from the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), a business-led not-for-profit that works collaboratively to influence industry practice and government policy, to transform the sustainability of the built environment. At UKGBC he is Director of Policy & Places, having joined shortly after its launch in 2007 and leading its well-respected policy and advocacy at both national and local level, working with the construction and property sector on a suite of successful programmes and projects, covering topics such as net zero carbon, social value, health & wellbeing and regeneration & placemaking. John has also served as Board Director for the World Green Building Council. Prior to joining UKGBC, John worked on sustainable homes and carbon trading for the environmental charity WWF-UK, has worked as a researcher in the House of Commons, and in commercial public affairs. He is on the Board of the Quality of Life Foundation.

In this new role, John will act as the strategic sustainability lead within LGC, challenging the business to continue to set ambitious sustainability commitments, and bringing his expertise to drive their delivery. Beyond environmental sustainability, John’s remit will also include the measurement and articulation of the social impact we deliver across LGC’s broader strategy.

LGC is committed to using its diverse sources of capital, including long term UK pension money, to help address climate change. Investing in the real economy and creating assets that deliver a tangible societal impact, LGC’s sustainability commitments range from creating energy efficient homes, regenerating communities, and supporting health and scientific advancements, to investing across power, heat and transport in clean energy.

Last year Legal & General pledged that it will make all of its new housing stock operational net zero carbon enabled by 2030, implemented in a phased approach across all homes invested in or built by the Group including: Build to Rent, Build to Sell, later living, modular and affordable housing. Earlier this year it announced that Inspired Villages, LGC’s later living business, has started on site to deliver the UK’s first net-zero retirement community, demonstrating LGC’s approach to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. With the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) taking place this November, we believe that now is the time to act and make real progress with science-based targets in order to create a greener, cleaner future for our society.