Elizabeth Woods
Norwich,,Norfolk
Summary
Purpose driven sustainability strategist and transformation leader with over 20 years' experience spanning sustainability, change management, culture, engagement, and analytics. Skilled at driving impactful progress through strategic thinking and pragmatic delivery at organisational, programme, project and team levels. Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives that embed resilience, deliver on net-zero ambitions, and create cultural and commercial value.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work history
Climate Resilience and Net Zero Manager
Aviva
09.2024 - Current
- Leading a specialist team to deliver climate resilience strategies that strengthen individual and community preparedness and mitigate claims risk.
- Driving Aviva's ambition to achieve Scope 3 Net Zero by 2040 within general insurance claims, embedding carbon reduction across operations and influencing wider market practice.
- Launched a Flood Resilience Proof of Concept that empowers high-risk customers to better prepare for extreme weather events - enhancing customer outcomes and reducing future claims. exposure.
- Elevated claims sustainability as a strategy business priority, strengthening customer trust, regulatory alignment and brand leadership.
Climate Action Manager
Aviva
01.2024 - Current
- Authored Aviva's first General insurance Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy - endorsed by senior leadership and embedding into operations.
- Drove sustainable commercial growth in general insurance through insight-led opportunity mapping and cross-functional collaboration.
Net Zero Sustainability Lead
Aviva
01.2023 - 03.2024
- Designed and led delivery of a Net Zero roadmap to reduce Scope 3 emissions for personal lines general insurance claims, setting the benchmark for the UK t.insurance market.
- Developed and implemented the industry's first methodology for measuring Scope 3 claims emissions - adopted across Aviva and shared with peers to accelerate sector-wide progress.
- Enabled measurable emissions reductions through supplier engagement and decarbonisation levers - strengthening ESG credentials and competitor positioning.
- Created 'My Climate Ready Plan', a first-of-its-kind customer proposition to support household-level decarbonisation and sustainable living practices - enhancing policyholder engagement
Group Culture and Engagement Manager
Aviva
01.2022 - 12.2022
- Designed and executed a company wide culture and engagement strategy, directly contributing to improved employee sentiment scores and purpose alignment.
- Delivered diagnostic reports that guided targeted culture change programmes across business units, supporting high-performance behaviours and informing leadership development.
- Rolled out innovative listening tools including lifecycles surveys, 360 feedback, improving insights and informing leadership development.
Group Sustainability Manager
Aviva
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Led a comprehensive human rights and modern slavery assessment across 15 global markets, informing new supplier policies and employee training.
- Established a cross-functional Human Rights Working Group, accelerating delivery of key improvements and positioning Aviva as a responsible business leader.
- Delivered high impact ESG disclosures and submissions (DJSI, FTSE4Good, LBG, B4SI, and CDP) resulting in a 26-point improvement in Aviva's DJSI ranking and enhanced investor confidence.
- Strengthened risk management by improving oversight and mitigation of Group Sustainability risks - ensuring regulatory alignment and audit readiness.
Group Employee Engagement Manager
Aviva
08.2017 - 01.2020
- Designed and implemented a global employee engagement strategy, improving participation and actionable insight across more than 15 annual and sample-based surveys.
- Created insight reports that directly influenced culture transformation initiatives and senior leadership action plans.
- Seconded into Internal Comms to launch Uncut, a candid leader to employee platform increasing transparency and strengthened employee-leader connection.
People Analytics and Insight Lead
Aviva
02.2012 - 08.2017
- Delivered advanced people analytics to shape strategic decisions on reorganisation, workforce planning, and market transitions.
- Supporting major transformation programmes with data-led insights, enabling smooth execution and evidence based change management.
- Acted as Business Manager to the Head Of People Analytics, improving operational efficiency through structured planning and stakeholder engagement strategies.
Education
Accreditation - Business and Climate Change: Towards Net Zero
Cambridge Institute For Sustainability Leadership
06/2023 - 09/2023
Accreditation - Responsible Business Management
Business In The Community
06/2023 - 11/2023
Skills
- Proven ability to deliver high-value programmes and projects on time and within budget, achieving tangible outcomes
- Collaborative and inclusive leader with a strong track record of aligning cross-functional teams to shared objectives
- Skilled in strategic business analysis, identifying opportunities and applying best practices to inform decision-making
- Proficient in data management, analysis, visualisation, and reporting - translating insights into strategic actions
Affiliations
- I find inspiration and calm in a great book or a thought-provoking-podcast - there's nothing like the power of storytelling to spark reflection. Tending to my allotment connects me with the rhythms of nature (and teaches me a lot about patience). Most of all, i treasure time with my daughters and our furry companion - whether we're exploring the coast or sharing a quiet moment at home, these experiences keep me grounded and remind me of what really matters.
Key strengths
- Personally accountable and results-driven; takes ownership and follows through with integrity and commitment.
- Strong relationship builder; motivates teams, fosters high performance, and cultivates a positive working environment.
- Resilient and forward-thinking; approaches challenges with optimism, adaptability, and a solution-focused mindset.
- Self-motivated with a growth mindset; actively pursues personal development and continuous learning.
Volunteering
- WWF Sustainable Futures - Advisory Board member
- Brundall Primary School - Eco-Council Lead
Timeline
Climate Resilience and Net Zero Manager
Aviva
09.2024 - Current
Climate Action Manager
Aviva
01.2024 - Current
Net Zero Sustainability Lead
Aviva
01.2023 - 03.2024
Group Culture and Engagement Manager
Aviva
01.2022 - 12.2022
Group Sustainability Manager
Aviva
01.2020 - 01.2022
Group Employee Engagement Manager
Aviva
08.2017 - 01.2020
People Analytics and Insight Lead
Aviva
02.2012 - 08.2017
Accreditation - Business and Climate Change: Towards Net Zero
Cambridge Institute For Sustainability Leadership
06/2023 - 09/2023
Accreditation - Responsible Business Management
Business In The Community
06/2023 - 11/2023
Similar Profiles
Abraham JejeAbraham Jeje
Hospitality Worker at AvivaHospitality Worker at Aviva
Samantha ThackraySamantha Thackray
Senior Governance and Assurance Manager at AvivaSenior Governance and Assurance Manager at Aviva
Donika PatelDonika Patel
Incident Manager at AVIVAIncident Manager at AVIVA
Helena DoranHelena Doran
Technical Training Leader - ARMS at AvivaTechnical Training Leader - ARMS at Aviva
McKenzie ChapmanMcKenzie Chapman
Medical Readiness Corpsman at US NavyMedical Readiness Corpsman at US Navy