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As society continues to navigate the climate crisis, the role of a chief sustainability officer (CSO) has never been more urgent or important. Today's CSO is expected to assess risk and build resilience, identify emerging opportunities, and influence the thinking and behaviour of businesses, investors, governments and regulators - all for the better.
Part of understanding and strengthening this ever-evolving role means unpacking the skillset required and the challenges faced. With that, Acre has launched a series of interviews with sustainability leaders across different industries, from around the world, to share their perspectives on the current and future role of the CSO.
![Image 2022 01 11 T09 40 38](/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBMkVqR3c9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--36d79a1d5d25d66dcace0b85abab8c3801dc3fc9/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaDdCem9MWm05eWJXRjBTU0lJY0c1bkJqb0dSVlE2QzNKbGMybDZaVWtpRFRJd01IZ3lNREErQmpzR1ZBPT0iLCJleHAiOm51bGwsInB1ciI6InZhcmlhdGlvbiJ9fQ==--f259584a48b18ba980304a0bc29b7129cc47032e/image-2022-01-14T16-12-15.259Z.png)
The Evolution of the CSO's Role
How has the role and the sustainability leadership landscape developed over the last 3 years and how will it change in the coming 5 years?
![Image 2022 01 11 T09 40 38](/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBL0g2R2c9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--eff58ed42564893ad637ab375ba09894c78a0f04/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaDdCem9MWm05eWJXRjBTU0lJY0c1bkJqb0dSVlE2QzNKbGMybDZaVWtpRFRJd01IZ3lNREErQmpzR1ZBPT0iLCJleHAiOm51bGwsInB1ciI6InZhcmlhdGlvbiJ9fQ==--f259584a48b18ba980304a0bc29b7129cc47032e/image-2022-01-11T14-49-04.934Z.png)
The Skillset Required
What advice would you give to anyone aspiring to become a CSO? What skillsets and networks are needed to become future change-makers?
![Image 2022 01 11 T09 40 38](/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBL1A2R2c9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--50189131ce67e34cdee6b7c063c22dcbfb29a7ad/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaDdCem9MWm05eWJXRjBTU0lJY0c1bkJqb0dSVlE2QzNKbGMybDZaVWtpRFRJd01IZ3lNREErQmpzR1ZBPT0iLCJleHAiOm51bGwsInB1ciI6InZhcmlhdGlvbiJ9fQ==--f259584a48b18ba980304a0bc29b7129cc47032e/image-2022-01-11T14-49-04.934Z.png)
Reflection on COP26
Reflecting on COP26, what’s next for tackling the climate crisis?
Meet Your Hosts
Quotes from the Series
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You need to prepare to be a game changer. We are challenging/revealing the status quo and looking at how things are done. We’re saying, “There could be a better way of doing this.” You need to be brave and prepared to fight many uphill battles. But it will pay off because once those points of why those changes are needed are understood, then people start to get on board. Once they see results, the level of satisfaction is out of this world.
Simeon Cheng - Group Director, Sustainability
Vitasoy International
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“The changes are all around taking a holistic view of business and being able to translate that into a vision, into a strategy and practical actions. The requirements for the Chief Sustainability Officer have exploded and we have to be able to do all of those things, all of the time.”
Daniella Vega - Global Senior Vice President of Health & Sustainability
Ahold Delhaize
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“Sustainability is something that should be embedded in everyone’s functions within the company and everyone should take responsibility for their part.”
Annamiek de Graaf - Specialist - Health & Sustainability
Ahold Delhaize
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“Lose the emotion, lose the triple bottom line - it’s not about being pragmatic, it’s asking if your business is sustainable and if not why not.”
Tony Henshaw - Experienced Board Member
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"Doing what I do is the best job in the world."
Julia Barrett - Chief Sustainability Officer
Willmott Dixon
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“It’s now much more about working together. If you lead a team, it’s about finding cross-functioning teams, upskilling people and getting the right experts within the company on board. It’s about being the glue and facilitator, being consultative and empowering others - This is more important now than ever before."
Dorothée D'Herde - Head of Sustainable Business
Vodafone
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If the world is going to get towards net zero, if we are going to solve many of these wicked problems, whether it be climate change, whether it be world hunger, we have to engage Asia.
Founder & CEO
Outsourced Chief Sustainability Officer Asia
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"One call to action is to work across the company, work across your value chain and don’t be afraid to be bold. Make bold commitments and think bold."
Nicola Kimm - Chief Sustainability Officer
HeidelbergCement
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“We need to train young people to be creative with the planning and with the execution of strategies that are either creating opportunities or creating risks”
Martin Kathriner - Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Director
Coca Cola HBC
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“In order to perform on such a level, you need to have past experience in sales, stakeholder engagement or supply chain - there are various areas of the business that interrelates with sustainability. The more background you have, the better it is”
Michael Dickstein - CSR Leader
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"To be able to play your part alongside your peers in a leadership team, it helps to have business acumen. My advice would be to try and find a way to get that capability and insight as it’s so important. If you want to be strategic and play that strategic role, everything we are doing is about embedding it into a business strategy."
Miguel Veiga-Pestana - Chief Sustainability Officer
Reckitt
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"When you get in your lane and you’re really curious about something there’s no stopping you. If you continually read and think about things in your life, you can build that picture of how you want to make an impact through your career."
Harriet Talbot - Global Sustainability Manager
Unilever
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"When you are thinking about the Chief Sustainability Officer role, you have got to be curious - read, engage with others. I spend a lot of time reading different forms of media and other people’s opinions from different areas to really understand the big emerging macro-level issues."
Rebecca Marmot - Chief Sustainability Officer
Unilever
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"In my view, the one person who is actually the Chief Sustainability Officer of a company is the CEO or the Managing Director. They have a viewpoint of what the customers are asking about from their head offices and marketing department, and therefore know what changes need to be made.”
Deeksha Vats - Chief Sustainability Officer
Aditya Birla Group
New Opportunities
![](/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBNFNBSGc9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--b7de858a0e3c87481f16ee049bc806492dc3fdfb/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaDdCem9MWm05eWJXRjBTU0lJY0c1bkJqb0dSVlE2QzNKbGMybDZaVWtpRFRRd01IZzJNREErQmpzR1ZBPT0iLCJleHAiOm51bGwsInB1ciI6InZhcmlhdGlvbiJ9fQ==--c9f5f01040e543b6cfe2fc945e7d696d534a1850/image-2022-03-22T20-41-32.549Z.png)
Find Your Next Challenge
Operating globally from our offices in the UK, Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific, we live by our values, and we are driven by our shared vision; brighter futures for all.
This is what drives us – the knowledge that we are providing organisations with outstanding talent, with the right skills to make the biggest impact in progressive organisations, across sustainability, climate change, corporate affairs & communications, corporate responsibility,ESG, impact investing, health & safety, environment and energy & clean technology.
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Country Manager
€Competitive
Hague
Acre is proud to be supporting The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), an international non-profit promoting sustainable fishing to protect oceans. ...
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Marketing Communications Manager
€Competitive
Hague
Acre is proud to be supporting The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), an international non-profit promoting sustainable fishing to protect oceans. ...
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Senior Sustainability Consultant
£Competitive
City of London
About the Client We are collaborating with a global leader in ESG, sustainability, and supply chain solutions. This esteemed client designs,builds,...
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Senior Carbon Verification Manager
€Competitive
India
Preferred Locations: India / Stockholm (Sweden) / Brisbane or Gold Coast (Australia) Acre is partnering with Earthbanc to find an experienced Sen...
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Social Impact Director
$Competitive
Bangkok
Are you a highly experienced human rights/social impact subject matter expert? A proven leader in creating best practices across global supply chai...
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Environmental Impact Director
$Competitive
Bangkok
Are you a global leader with the ability to develop and implement effective climate strategies and action plans? Do you have a proven track record ...
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Sustainability Manager - Private Equity, Paris
€Competitive
Paris
Are you a passionate Sustainability professional looking to make a real impact in an organization where sustainability is at the core of their oper...
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Sustainability Analyst - Private Equity, Paris
€Competitive
Paris
Are you a Sustainability professional seeking to join a forward-thinking organization with sustainability at its core? Our client, a leading priv...
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Senior Director of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE)
$Competitive
Indiana
Summary: The Senior Director of HSE will plan and manage all aspects of the organization's safety, health, and environmental program, holding direc...
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Managing Director - UK
£Competitive
London
Location: Remote, Based in the UK Evolution Sustainability Group offers bespoke energy and sustainability consulting services to a wide range of ...
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Sustainability Data Analyst - Packaging
€Competitive
Netherlands
Are you a data-savvy sustainability professional who wants to have an impact at the global level? Unwrap your full potential at Perfetti Van Melle....
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Chief Executive / General Manager
£50,000 - £60,000 per annum
England
BACKGROUND Ocean Generation is an environmental charity endorsed by UNESCO for the way they translate complex ocean science into engaging content, ...
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Head of Portfolio Management, Renewable Energy
€Competitive
Paris
Are you a seasoned portfolio manager passionate about energy transition? Join a leading private equity firm with €6 billion in assets under manag...
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Account Director - Sustainability, Social Impact and Purpose
£Competitive
London
We are working with a communications agency that advises some of their biggest clients on strategies and programs to address social and environment...
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Senior Consultant
£Competitive
England
Acre is exclusively working with a leading strategic communication and ESG consultancy, who are hiring a Senior Consultant to join their growing su...
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Project Manager - GHG Scope 3 Emissions
£DOE
Belgium
Together for Sustainability AISBL (TfS) is a global, procurement-driven initiative dedicated to the improvement of supply chain sustainability in t...
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Sustainability Executive
£Competitive
Surrey
Acre is supporting a leading importer and processor of premium food products. With an emphasis on supply chain integrity, sustainable sourcing, a...
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Head of Sustainable Finance & Scenario Modelling
£Competitive
London
Are you a finance expert who has had exposure to the quantification of environmental risks and opportunities for your organisation, or as a consult...
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Singapore Country Director
S$Competitive
Singapore
Are you passionate about conserving the lands and waters of our planet and want to be a part of driving long-term partnerships? About The Nature ...
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Environmental Compliance Manager
£Competitive
Bedfordshire
Are you an experienced environmental compliance professional looking to work for an organisation that is serious about its sustainability journey? ...
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Sustainability & LCA Advisor
£Competitive
Oxfordshire
Does developing a more sustainable value chain and future through innovative industrial technology sound like the ideal new challenge for you? Ac...
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ESG Manager
€Competitive + 30% Bonus
Frankfurt am Main
Are you looking for an opportunity to join a growing organisation in a newly created role where you can have a broad remit with extensive reporting...
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Head of North America
$175,000 - $200,000 + Annual Bonus
New York
Are you an experienced strategy consultant with a background in sustainability? Are you interested to flex your entrepreneurial muscles and build o...
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Head of Sustainability
£Competitive + Benefits & Bonus
Hemel Hempstead
Are you a visionary leader with a passion for sustainability and environmental stewardship? Do you thrive on driving change, engaging stakeholders,...
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Manager/Senior Manager, Sustainability and Stewardship
$175,000 - $225,000
San Francisco
Location: Hybrid 3 days a week in San Francisco Parnassus Investments is the largest pure-play responsible investment company in the United State...
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Senior Principal Consultant
£Competitive
London
Passionate about integrating nature into business & decision-making? Acre has partnered with a leading consultancy specialising in biodiversity, ...
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Environmental Manager - Private Equity (Paris)
€Competitive
Paris
Are you a seasoned environmental specialist looking to join a forward-thinking investment organization with sustainability at the core of its visio...
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Sustainability Manager, Germany
€Competitive
Germany
About Mileway: Mileway is a leading player in the last-mile logistics real estate sector, with a growing presence in Europe. The company is committ...
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Sustainability Director, Agricultural Soft Commodity
€Competitive
Paris
Acre is partnering with a leading global soft commodities trader for the recruitment of an Agricultural Soft Commodity Sustainability Director to b...
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Agrifood Program Manager
€Competitive
Eindhoven
Do you want to work at the intersection of sustainability, dairy and innovation? Interfood has been at the heart of the global dairy value chain...
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Senior Systems Engineer
$150,000 - $170,000 + equity, 401k match, healthcare
San Francisco
Acre has partnered with an electrolyzer technology developer backed by the leading global cleantech VC firms that is revolutionizing the hydrogen s...
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Process Safety Lead
€Competitive
Amsterdam
Are you passionate about Health & Safety topics and employee wellbeing? Do you have a talent for driving change and moving others willingly towards...
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Senior Sustainability Expert - Social Domain
€Competitive
Woluwe-Saint-Pierre - Sint-Pieters-Woluwe
ABOUT Our client amfori, believes that companies can simultaneously focus on people and planet as well as profit. The organisation also believes th...
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Senior Consultant - Sustainable Business & ESG
£Competitive
City of London
Are you ready to lead the charge in sustainable business practices and ESG advisory? With over 6-7 years of experience, you could be the visionary ...
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Landscape Finance Manager
€Competitive
Amsterdam
Do you want to use your finance expertise for the benefit of holistic landscape restoration? Please read further! Acre has partnered with Commonl...
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Senior Client Success Manager
$110,000 - $131,000
New York
Acre has partnered with an energy SaaS startup that is revolutionizing the way commercial and industrial businesses reduce energy costs and enhance...
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Our Latest Episodes
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Episode 4 • OCSO Asia
Joining us for the fourth episode of the 'Future of the CSO - APAC' series is Dr Darian Mcbain - Founder & CEO of Outsourced Chief Sustainability Officer Asia, an organisation that provides global sustainability consulting and strategic advisory services from experienced CSOs. She has over 20 years of experience in sustainability, working for corporates, government, the UN, academia and NGOs.
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Episode 3 • Vitasoy International
Joining us for the third episode of the 'Future of the CSO - APAC' series is Simeon Cheng - Group Director, Sustainability at Vitasoy International, an international food and beverage company publicly listed in Hong Kong. He is a sustainability professional with 25 years of experience leading the development of sustainability strategies and overseeing implementation in consultancy and corporate environments.
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Episode 2 • Digital Standards Initiative
Joining us for the second episode of the 'Future of the CSO - APAC' series is Pamela Mar, Managing Director of the Digital Standards Initiative and former Executive Vice President – Knowledge & Applications at the Fung Group. At the time of the interview, Pam led the Fung Academy’s knowledge generation, application, and dissemination in support of the Fung Group’s business success and readiness for the future. Her ongoing dedication to the industry, knowledge and passion made her the ideal interviewee for episode 2.
Who is Involved?
Acre
At Acre, we work with the most aspirational businesses with the potential to make real change; from those who are just starting out to those who are well on their journey to crafting a legacy. Our two decades of experience in sustainability recruitment, combined with our extensive global network, enables us to provide talent solutions that are designed to deliver this change.
Through our unique behavioural assessment technology, we also understand the types of people, skills and behaviours required to create impact.
Patricia Dwyer, CEO at The Purpose Business
Co-Host of our APAC 'Future of the CSO' Interviews
Pat is an internationally-respected sustainability expert, passionate about sharing her 20+ years of experience and leadership to help businesses in Asia thrive through responsible growth. She has guest lectured, spoken and moderated across global platforms including The Obama Foundation, The World Economic Forum, The Thomson Reuters Foundation, The University of Cambridge and The Climate Competent Boards Certificate Program, sharing her insights in sustainability, purpose, leadership and governance.
Pat and her team of globally-experienced sustainability and business practitioners across industry, academia, NGOs and government at The Purpose Business, guide companies to activate purpose, address ESG impacts and scale sustainability responsibly, in order to future-proof their business. Pat has advised and worked with blue chip companies including MTR, The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Marsh Asia, Cathay Pacific, Jardine Matheson, Swire Properties, Universal Robina, Metro Pacific Investment Corporation, and Ayala.
Mike Barry, Director at mikebarryeco
Co-Host of our UK & European 'Future of the CSO' Interviews
Mike is a leader in sustainable change. During his time at M&S, he helped evolve Plan A to become a change management programme designed to make sustainability 'how M&S did business'. The business achieved zero-waste-to-landfill status, moved to 100% renewable electricity and achieved carbon neutrality across its global estate of stores, offices and warehouses. Having worked at an international level of business, with charities, with think tanks, and with start-ups, he has a broad array of experience. Upon leaving M&S he formed mikebarryeco ltd in order to support organisations across society and the economy to deliver sustainable change.
Watch the Full Series Here
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the future of the cso
16 November 2022
Episode 2 • The Digital Standards Initiative • The Future of the CSO • APAC • Pamela Mar
Read more -
sustainability recruitment
climate change recruitment
19 October 2022
Episode 1 • UOB • The Future of the CSO • APAC • Eric Lim
Read more -
featured video
the future of the cso
21 June 2022
Episode 9 • HeidelbergCement • The Future of the CSO • EU • Nicola Kimm
Read more -
the future of the cso
16 May 2022
Episode 8 • Coca Cola HBC • The Future of the CSO • EU • Michael Dickstein
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sustainability recruitment
the future of the cso
03 May 2022
Episode 7 • Unilever • The Future of the CSO • UK • Rebecca Marmot
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the future of the cso
27 April 2022
Episode 6 • Reckitt • The Future of the CSO • UK • Miguel Veiga-Pestana
Read more