Vanessa Havard-Williams OBE
Biography
Vanessa Havard-Williams OBE is the senior independent director for UK Export Finance, and chair of the UK Export Guarantee Advisory Council (EGAC).
Vanessa has had a long career as a senior lawyer. She led Linklaters’ global environmental and climate change practice, founded the firm’s ESG practice and was co-head of the Risk & Resilience and Crisis Management teams. She retired from the Partnership in 2023 and continues to consult to Linklaters on these issues on a limited basis.
Vanessa has an in-depth understanding of environmental, social and governance issues; and experience in project finance with export credit agencies. She has worked internationally on issues critical to UKEF such as environment, climate and human rights.
Vanessa led the UK Government’s Transition Finance Market Review in 2024. She is a member of the UK Transition Finance Council steering group and chairs its working group on credibility and integrity.
Vanessa was recognised in the 2025 King’s New Year Honours List. She was awarded an OBE for services to Legal and Financial Services, to Public Finance and to Tackling Climate Change.
Member, Export Guarantees Advisory Council
Export Guarantees Advisory Council (EGAC) provides advice to UK Export Finance and its ministers on the policies UK Export Finance applies when doing business including:
- environmental impacts and human rights
- sustainable lending
- bribery and corruption
- disclosure, including freedom of information requests”
Chair, Export Guarantees Advisory Council
Export Guarantees Advisory Council (EGAC) provides advice to UK Export Finance and its ministers on the policies UK Export Finance applies when doing business including:
- environmental impacts and human rights
- sustainable lending
- bribery and corruption
- disclosure, including freedom of information requests
Previous roles in government
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Interim Chair, Export Guarantees Advisory Council
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Member, Export Guarantees Advisory Council