Introducing... Rebecca Booker

In a feature looking at the talent helping shape organisations’ futures, Rebecca Booker, management accountant and sustainability reporting lead at Sheffield-headquartered Henry Boot, talks about how she is helping embed environmental, social and governance practices across the group.

What excites you most about the work Henry Boot is doing? 

It’s the way sustainability is increasingly being considered across various parts of the business. 

It’s not just about meeting targets; it’s about creating lasting, positive change in how we operate. 

Our Responsible Business Strategy plays an important role in shaping decisions, from how we approach development to how we manage energy use in buildings. 

I’m especially proud to play a part in shaping our environmental, social and governance reporting, which has helped us make measurable progress, such as reducing gas use by 39 per cent and electricity by 23 per cent in our properties compared to 2019. 

How have you developed and grown since joining Henry Boot? 

I’ve grown hugely, both professionally and personally. 

When I joined Henry Boot just over three years ago, I was working within the finance team as a management accountant. 

Since then, I’ve taken on the challenge of environmental, social and governance reporting.

I’d never worked on it before, and hadn’t realised I could be involved as an accountant. 

I built a new, group-wide reporting framework from scratch, and now lead on environmental, social and governance reporting across the group.

I sit on our climate working group, support board-level decision-making and mentor others in the team. 

This responsibility has really expanded my skillset and confidence in driving change across the business.

Are there any projects or achievements that demonstrate your abilities and future potential? 

I’m most proud of the overhaul of our environmental, social and governance reporting.

I created a consistent and transparent reporting process across our six group businesses, which allows us to track sustainability performance accurately and identify areas where we need to act. 

It has led to changes in how we manage utilities, trial new fuels and improve our sustainable transport policies.

I’ve led initiatives outside reporting too.

I worked with Sheffield Hallam University on a real-world student consultancy project focused on carbon accounting, helping the next generation of professionals understand sustainability in finance. 

And I’m currently mentoring a placement student within our team. 

These kinds of projects show me how far-reaching the impact of this work can be.

How do you handle high-pressure situations and tight deadlines? 

Working in finance and environmental, social and governance reporting means I’m regularly dealing with deadlines and regulatory requirements, so staying calm under pressure has become second nature. 

Whether it’s submitting compliance data or preparing reports for the board, I’ve learned how to balance accuracy with urgency. 

Clear communication and planning are key.

I also find that when you really believe in the work you’re doing, like helping a business become more sustainable, it gives you the energy to rise to any challenge.

What other qualities set you apart as a future leader in the development sector?

My role demands an ability to bring together different parts of the business around a shared purpose.

I’m analytical and detail-oriented, but I also enjoy building relationships with site teams, energy brokers, students and senior leaders. 

I want to make sustainability accessible and practical for everyone, not just something that sits in a policy document.

I’m also passionate about knowledge sharing and supporting others to grow. 

Whether that’s creating best practice guides, mentoring students or helping colleagues understand environmental, social and governance data, I want to make sure green skills are part of how we all work. 

Anyone, in any role, can drive meaningful change.

And I try to lead by example.

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