Drax appoints Miguel Veiga-Pestana new chief sustainability officer

Drax is pleased to announce the appointment of Miguel Veiga-Pestana to the new executive committee role of chief sustainability officer, reporting into Drax Group CEO Will Gardiner.

Miguel is a seasoned leader of strategic sustainability and reputation building functions and he will use his extensive experience in major global corporations and ‘not-for-profit’ organizations to support Drax in delivering its purpose, strategic aims and ambition.

Prior to coming to Drax, Miguel most recently held the executive committee role of chief sustainability officer and head of corporate affairs at the British multinational consumer goods company, Reckitt Benckiser. He has also been chief communications officer at the executive leadership level for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the world’s largest philanthropic organization, and worked for 11 years at Unilever where he was vice-president of global external affairs and sustainability.

Commenting on the appointment, Gardiner said, “I am delighted to welcome Miguel into this critical role at Drax and I look forward to working with him to deliver on our corporate strategy, including generating dispatchable renewable power, building BECCS facilities around the world, becoming a major player in the carbon dioxide removal (CDRs) market and maintaining our leadership position in the production and sale of sustainable biomass.”

Veiga-Pestana, said, “Drax has the potential to play a significant role in tackling climate change and I welcome the opportunity to join the business at such a critical moment in its journey. During my career I have focused on building and protecting reputation, purpose and embedding sustainability into core strategy and feel that this experience is closely aligned to Drax’s growth ambitions.”