With thanks to Miriam Heale, Allen & York

Appointment of the month

WSP Environment & Energy (WSP) has appointed Robert Carr as director, sustainability and energy, in its Middle East, India and Northern Africa business. Carr has 25 years of experience in sustainability management, specialising in property, infrastructure and urban development. He joins from Buro Happold where he was head of the environment and sustainability team. In previous roles working for Scott Wilson and as an independent sustainability consultant, Carr has gained experience working across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and elsewhere in the world, including Europe, Russia and South East Asia.

Carr says: “My experience in the Middle East suggests that parts of the region are primed for significant development in both organisational sustainability and urban sustainability strategies. Much of the work that lies ahead must incorporate a significant element of refining and augmenting existing practices and developing innovative and culturally appropriate ways of delivering the region's sustainability goals.”

SoloPower, a California-based manufacturer of solar cells and modules, has appointed General Wesley Clark (retired) to its board of directors. In 38 years of service in the United States Army, General Clark rose to the rank of four-star general as Nato’s Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. Since retiring from the military in 2000, he has worked as an investment banker, alternative energy leader, author, cable network television military analyst and businessman. In September 2003, he ran as a Democratic candidate for US president. He returned to the private sector in February 2004. General Clark also serves as a member of the Clinton Global Initiative’s energy and climate change advisory board.

The UK’s Natural Capital Committee has appointed a new chairman, Dieter Helm. His appointment was announced by the Treasury in the recent budget. The committee will provide advice on the state of English natural capital to the economic affairs cabinet committee (chaired by the chancellor of the exchequer). Helm is an economist, a professor at the University of Oxford where he is a fellow of New College. Helm has been involved in the development of environmental policy in Britain and Europe since the mid-1980s, and has served as chairman of the Defra economic advisory panel for a number of years.

Rob Cameron, most recently CEO of Fairtrade International has been appointed executive director in boutique consultancy and thinktank SustainAbility’s London office. Among his responsibilities will be UK team leadership, growth and profitability, alongside business development and client servicing. 

Ted Grant has joined AccountAbility as director of global research and development. Grant has more than 25 years of experience in business and philanthropy, and was formerly special assistant to the president of the Rockefeller Foundation. Prior to that, he spent 25 years at JPMorgan Chase.

Sustainability investment boutique SAM has appointed David Blumer and Karin van Baardwijk to its board of directors. Blumer has been chief investment officer at Swiss Re since 2008 and in his new role will be a powerful advocate for sustainability investing in the world of finance.Van Baardwijk is an expert in operational risk management (strategic risk identification and assessment, scenario analysis, and incident management). She is currently senior vice-president of operational risk management at Robeco.

Axel Wilhelm has joined German life insurance firm Oeco Capital as head of sustainable investments. He was formerly managing director of environmental, social and governance research house Sustainalytics.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is continuing to build its support for emerging Arab democracies with the appointment of Hildegard Gacek as managing director for the southern and eastern Mediterranean. EBRD is expanding its geographic remit to the region and preparing to invest specifically in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Jordan. Prior to her new appointment, Gacek had been EBRD’s director for Serbia, based in Belgrade.

Operation Hope has hired Julius Robinson, group head for Union Bank’s corporate social responsibility, as the chairman of the Hope Northwestern board of directors. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Operation Hope is a non-profit organisation dedicated to financial literacy and economic empowerment.

Welf Jung has been appointed as sustainability director for Rexam Beverage Can Europe & Asia. Jung was previously the company’s business development director.

Dr Zoe Robinson has been appointed as director of education for sustainability at Keele University. Robinson has been involved with around 20 project grants on sustainability, leads the innovative Greening Business module, and was awarded a Keele Excellence Award for Learning and Teaching in 2008.

Merck Pharmaceuticals has announced the appointment of Michael J Holston as chief ethics and compliance officer. Holston was previously executive vice-president and general counsel for HP.

John Palmer hasjoined the British Transport Police assustainability manager. He was previously with the North West London Hospitals NHS Trust.

Kim Matsoukas has been appointed sustainability manager at US shoe retailer Vans. Matsoukas was formerly sustainability manager at City of Industry, a commercial carpet manufacturer.

Ian Lee is the new health, safety and environment manager for First Hull Trains. He joins from First Capital Connect.



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