Senior Strategist | Applied Anthropologist | Just Transition & ESG Finance Specialist

I help organisations mobilise capital, design strategy, and deliver measurable transformation at the intersection of net zero, decarbonisation, and social equity. My work spans the built environment, real assets, and financial markets - helping stakeholders from investment, development, management, and operations to translate ambitious sustainability goals into practical, investable outcomes.

About Me

I bring a unique combination of applied anthropology, analytical research, and strategic advisory, helping organisations understand real-world behaviour, systemic barriers, and market dynamics. I translate these insights into financial products, strategic frameworks, and operational systems that enable organisations - or entire industries - to deliver measurable social and financial impact.

I have partnered with private, public, and nonprofit organisations across Europe and Africa, including major global infrastructure firms, investment and asset management firms, local government and foundations, supporting them to design practical, measurable solutions to complex sustainability and social equity challenges.

Highlights include:

  • Just Transition Finance & ESG Products: Led programmes designing debt and bond products aligned with just transition objectives, collaborating with 103 Ventures and the Laudes Foundation, while analysing the landscape and identifying levers to advance just transition priorities and mobilise systemic action at a macroeconomic level.

  • Impact Measurement & Real Estate Investment: Designed and implemented impact measurement, management, and reporting for a real estate impact fund at Metope, integrating social and environmental outcomes alongside financial performance.

  • Urban & Real Estate Strategy: Founded Human City and Human City SA to support organisations in generating both commercial and social value from real estate and infrastructure. Provided strategic guidance on market positioning, ESG-aligned investments, and development of high-impact spaces that deliver measurable returns.

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Core expertise:

  • Transition Finance & ESG Products: Designing, structuring, and scaling investable solutions that align financial return with ESG and just transition objectives

  • Applied Anthropology & Behavioural Insight: Translating human and market behaviour into actionable insights to drive stakeholder engagement, product adoption, and market transformation.

  • Systems Thinking & Intervention: Identifying barriers, leverage points and intervention strategies to deliver measurable impact at the industry or portfolio level

  • Strategy & Advisory: Providing board-level advisory and organisational transformation support to align operations with sustainability and financial goals.

  • Research & Evaluation: Conducting mixed-methods research, behavioural analysis, and evidence-based decision-making to inform strategic decisions and track performance

Interview with Matt Artz
“Gemma’s commitment to driving meaningful impact is reflected in her extensive education, which includes coursework in Real Estate Economics and Finance at the London School of Economics and Impact Investing in Africa at the University of Cape Town. Her contributions to academia and sustainable development have earned her an Honorary Research Fellowship at University College London’s Department of Anthropology and Adjunct Faculty status at the University of Cambridge’s Institute for Sustainable Leadership. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce and a Winston Churchill Fellow.”