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RACHEL WIDDIS

Director, Europe, Middle East, and Africa

Dublin

 

Dr. Rachel Widdis is an expert in business and human rights who brings her legal knowledge and commitment to advancing responsible business to advising companies, governments, and civil society. As Director, EMEA, Rachel leads Article One’s Dublin office and advises companies and institutions on the rapidly evolving landscape of business and human rights policy, regulation and practice in the region. Her published research includes advancing respect for human rights, access to remedy, sustainable corporate governance and the evolution of obligations to conduct human rights and environmental due diligence in global value chains. She has collaborated with international experts and legal practitioners on the impacts of  significant policy and regulatory developments currently advancing within the EU.

Rachel is a regular speaker at conferences and events which encourage debate on changing expectations, and the opportunities and challenges of embedding respect for human rights in business practices. She commenced the Business and Human Rights course in the School of Law, Trinity College Dublin, and is an Adjunct Assistant Professor teaching on the Masters programme. Rachel has also been an Academic Leader and taught Business Ethics in the Trinity Business School. She is a regular contributor to business and human rights fora, and is a co-editor of Business and Human Rights in Ireland.

As an Independent Non-Executive Director on a State Board and member of the Strategy and Sustainability sub-committee, Rachel appreciates the value of constructive dialogue with senior management and stakeholders. She has extensive commercial and financial experience, having previously held senior management positions in Global Corporate Relationship Management in ABN-AMRO Luxembourg, EMEA Business Development in Paris, and as a Financial Analyst in Citigroup in London.

Rachel’s doctoral thesis concerns constructing accountability and transnational litigation in business and human rights. She also holds first class Masters degrees in Business and in Law from University College Dublin. Rachel is a well-travelled Irish national and speaks fluent French.