Sustainable finance and impact investment search
Impact, climate and ESG leaders for private markets, credit, infrastructure and development finance. UK, US and Europe.
Request a callWho we place
We place the people who put capital to work on climate and impact, and the people who make sure it does what it says.
- Heads of impact and impact investment directors
- Heads of ESG and sustainability in private equity, private credit and infrastructure
- Climate and decarbonisation leads, including transition planning
- Impact measurement and management specialists
- Investment professionals for impact and climate funds
- Sustainable finance leads in banks and lenders
Who we work for
Our clients include global investment firms, specialist managers and the institutions that back them.
- Private equity and venture firms
- Private credit and alternative credit managers
- Infrastructure and renewable energy managers
- Impact funds and development finance institutions
- Banks and specialist lenders
Why these hires are hard
In private markets the sustainability lead now has to earn their place in the deal team. Funds want people who can sit in an investment committee, read a model and explain what an ESG finding means for value, not only people who can write the policy.
Impact roles are harder still. The strongest candidates combine investment experience with a real grasp of measurement, and there are few of them. Most are well looked after where they are and will only move for a mandate they believe in.
Fundraising pressure has made the market uneven. Some funds are hiring hard while others are cutting back, so candidates ask searching questions about a firm’s strategy and backing before they will talk.
How we run the search
We start with forty-five minutes with the hiring manager on what the person will have to do: which deals they will touch, what LPs expect to see and who they will work with. We then approach people directly, most of whom are not on the market, interview for motivation as much as experience, and send a shortlist within one to two weeks.
The full process is on our executive search page. Permanent search is what we do. Interim on request.
Roles we have filled
- Global Head of ESG, alternative credit firm, New York
- Emerging markets impact, private equity, global investment manager, London
- Head of Climate, global investment firm, London
- Decarbonisation Lead, global investment firm, London
- Head of Climate Sustainability, global asset manager, Los Angeles
- Senior Asset Manager, renewable energy asset manager, Dublin
Questions we are asked
Do you place investment professionals or only ESG specialists?
Both. We place impact and climate investment professionals as well as the ESG and sustainability people who work alongside deal teams.
Can you find people with both investment and impact experience?
That is the hardest brief in this market and the one we are asked for most. We are honest early on if the pool is thin and help you decide which side to weight.
Do you work with first-time funds?
Yes. We are used to explaining an emerging manager’s story to candidates, and to being straight with you about what it will take to attract senior people.
Do you cover the US and Europe?
Yes, as well as the UK.
How long does it take?
You will have a shortlist within one to two weeks of the kickoff. After that the timing depends on your interview process and notice periods.
How do your fees work?
We agree fees and terms with you before a search starts and will talk you through them on a first call.