London, United Kingdom, May 2025 — Lucy Fernie has stepped into the role of Chief People Officer at World Resources Institute (WRI), marking a significant milestone in her career dedicated to people leadership, organisational transformation, and global impact. Passionate about climate and nature issues, Fernie brings both personal commitment and professional expertise to this new chapter, aligning seamlessly with WRI’s mission of advancing people-centric, nature-positive, and climate-resilient solutions.
Fernie joins WRI after an impactful stint at the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), where she served as Director People, Organisation and Culture. In this global leadership position, she was responsible for steering regional HR teams, inclusion and safeguarding programs, and working closely with senior leaders to build organisational capabilities across continents.
Prior to that, Fernie held the role of Director of People and Change at Adam Smith International, where she led people and corporate functions, fostered a culture of inclusion, and spearheaded strategic transformation initiatives.
At the Metropolitan Police, Fernie served as Head of Leadership, Inclusion and Talent, where she managed core services across 50,000+ staff and officers. Her role involved designing and implementing HR transformation projects closely aligned with organisational strategy.
Earlier in her career, she held senior consulting roles with PA Consulting and Deloitte, where she worked as a People and Talent Managing Consultant and Business Psychologist, supporting large global organisations in developing leaders and driving cultural change.
Fernie’s leadership journey also includes key HR roles at Adam Smith International (London and Nairobi), EY (New York), and REED (London), underlining her global experience in organisational psychology, leadership development, DEI, and talent strategy. Her multi-regional exposure across Europe, East Africa, and the United States has been instrumental in shaping inclusive people-first cultures in mission-driven organisations.
At World Resources Institute, Fernie’s appointment comes at a time when the organisation is strengthening its global focus on nature, climate, and equity. As Chief People Officer, she will lead WRI’s global HR function to drive talent strategy, inclusion, organisational development, and staff engagement across the institute’s expansive global operations.
About World Resources Institute
World Resources Institute (WRI) works to improve people’s lives, protect and restore nature, and stabilize the climate. As a globally renowned independent research organisation, WRI leverages its data, expertise, and worldwide partnerships to influence policies and catalyse systemic change across critical areas such as food, land, water, energy, and cities. With more than 2,000 staff working in over 50 countries, WRI is committed to building a more sustainable, equitable and resilient world.
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