By Carolyn Goodman at Ruston Wheb carolyn.goodman@rustonwheb.com

Annabel Short, head of programmes at Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, has moved from the centre’s London office to New York, to establish an office and build the centre’s existing presence there.

The Aspen Institute, the non-profit organisation “dedicated to fostering enlightened leadership”, has appointed Jane Wales as vice-president for philanthropy and society, and executive director of the non-profit sector and philanthropy programme. Wales is chief executive of the World Affairs Council of Northern California.

The Corporate Council on Africa, a membership group to promote US trade and investment in Africa, has appointed Jeffrey L Sturchio chairman of the board of directors. Sturchio is vice-president for corporate responsibility at drug maker Merck.

Jan van de Venis, formerly legal counsel at Greenpeace International, has set up his own, Amsterdam-based, international law firm, JustLaw, for counselling and litigation on corporate law and on human rights issues.

John Elkington, founder and chief entrepreneur at SustainAbility, the research and consultancy firm, is launching a new initiative, Volans Ventures, “to find, explore, advise on and build innovative scalable solutions to the great global divides that overshadow the future”.

Marcus Trinick has joined London law firm Eversheds, having advised on more than 200 proposed renewable projects in the UK for rival company Bond Pearce. Trinick, who has also appeared as an advocate at more than 30 wind farm public inquiries, joins as a partner in Eversheds’ 60-strong clean energy and sustainability group.

Thomas Krick, formerly senior advisor at AccountAbility, has moved on to work with CSRnetwork as a senior consultant.

Viv Packer has joined sustainability executive search firm Ruston Wheb as head of built environment, where she will focus on recruitment in the property sector as it relates to sustainable development.