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Professional Services

Embedding ESG and sustainability into your leadership hires

Consultancy

We specialise in sourcing sustainability and ESG experts for leading consultancies. Whether it’s strategy, reporting, or climate advisory, our candidates bring the technical skills and leadership required to deliver impactful solutions. With increasing demand for specialist knowledge, we connect firms with professionals who drive measurable results for their clients.

Technology, Media & Telecomms

In the rapidly growing TMT sector, we recruit professionals who embed sustainability into innovation. From energy efficiency in data centres to ESG strategy in digital operations, our candidates help organisations align technological progress with environmental and social responsibility, meeting stakeholder expectations in an increasingly competitive sector.

Insurance

We connect insurers with talent who specialise in ESG risk management, sustainable underwriting, and climate resilience. As the insurance sector faces growing environmental and regulatory pressures, we source professionals who help organisations adapt, mitigate risk, and build strategies that align with both sustainability goals and business performance.

Legal and Law Firms

We support law firms in hiring ESG and sustainability specialists, from advisors to leaders driving responsible governance and compliance. As ESG regulations become increasingly complex, we place professionals who bring deep expertise, enabling firms to guide clients effectively and strengthen their own sustainability strategies.

Accountancy

Sustainability in accountancy requires professionals skilled in ESG reporting, climate risk analysis, and regulatory compliance. We find candidates with the technical expertise and industry knowledge to help firms meet evolving client demands, deliver transparency, and embed sustainability into financial practices, ensuring measurable progress and long-term impact.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

The SaaS industry is driving digital transformation, and we place sustainability professionals who help businesses integrate ESG into their platforms and operations. From emissions tracking tools to ESG data solutions, our candidates bring technical proficiency and innovation to create scalable products that meet the demands of a sustainable economy.

World-leading ESG and Sustainability Recruitment

Acre’s professional services team partners with B2B organisations, consultancies and advisory firms to build ESG-focused teams that drive sustainability transformation.

 

Leveraging our cross-sector expertise, we help firms source top talent across risk, compliance, and sustainable finance, ensuring they can support clients in meeting ambitious ESG goals.

 

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Meet the Professional Services Team

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Anna Bene

Senior Recruitment Consultant

Americas
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Aysen Naylor's picture
Aysen Naylor

Recruitment Consultant

Asia & Pacific
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Emma Penny

Client Director

EMEAProfessional Services
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Kate O'Rourke

Director, Professional Services, Banking & Insurance - EMEA

EMEA
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Richard Kent

Head of Research

AmericasProfessional Services
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Thaddeus Tan's picture
Thaddeus Tan

Senior Recruitment Consultant

EMEA
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Tiana Thomas

Senior Recruitment Consultant

EMEA
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Professional Services Insights

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sector-iconConsumer Marketsinsight-type-iconShowcase
CSRD: How is Legislation Transforming Sustainability Teams in Europe?

Policy is a critical lever for driving sustainable change. Without legislation such as CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive), transforming traditional business to one that’s sustainable might take decades. Legislation has driven company action for years, this time around, however, failure to comply with CSRD can result in significant penalties including fines, sanctions or even prison sentences. The consequences of not complying will vary on a case-by-case basis but will be set by government.

 

​Different nations enforce these regulations with varying degrees of strictness. For example in Germany, the harshest penalty could be as high as five per cent of the company’s annual revenue. France has introduced even stricter measures, with company directors potentially facing fines of approximately 75,000 euros and up to five years in prison. The message is clear: non-compliance will incur serious sanctions.

 


So, what are companies doing to prepare?


As you’d expect, a lot. It seems as soon as the bottom line is affected there’s a call to arms. Execs who turned a blind eye to sustainability now poke their heads around the CSO, or equivalent’s, door.

This is the power of legislation and it has shifted the dial. CSRD, EU Taxonomy, CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive), European Green Deal and SFDR (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation) are all playing their part in bringing sustainability to the table and creating action where previously there may have been little.

Some companies are already equipped to deal with the changing legislation. Those who have been compliant previously and gone above and beyond requirements, have foundations (for responding to legislation) already in place. However, companies of a certain size who haven’t previously committed to sustainability will have a lot of ground to make up, with huge costs associated.

 


How are sustainability teams changing?


The size of the business and its commitment to sustainability are consistently the two primary factors influencing decision-making regarding compliance. There are many nuances affecting how organisations deal with the legislation - below are three broad categories.


1. Small and medium-sized enterprises:
SMEs falling under the legislation often lack a dedicated full-time sustainability leader. Consequently, many are hiring for sustainability roles focused primarily on foundational compliance and reporting. Positions such as ESG Manager or Head/Director of ESG are common and work closely with finance teams. After establishing ESG foundations, these professionals typically develop further sustainability initiatives. Consulting services are also an option, albeit an expensive one.


2. Medium to large-sized companies:
Generally, these already have a sustainability team of up to several people. They will have commenced their net zero journey, developed a decarbonisation roadmap and will be looking at other sustainability elements such as waste, water, circularity and nature. This is where we’re seeing a big shift. It now falls on the current sustainability hire, or small team to shift their focus to compliance and reporting. I’ve spoken with plenty of Heads/Directors over the past month who have witnessed this shift.


3. Large companies:
Usually well equipped to tackle these changes, they tend to have a bigger budget so can hire specialists. In several cases, ESG reporting has moved into the finance function, sustainability still being a key internal stakeholder group. This shift enables the sustainability team to focus on their key task of building a future-fit sustainable company. In some cases, ESG has also been reporting into Legal or Communications & Public Affairs, especially in companies with significant brand considerations.

 


What are your options?


Consultancy – Many companies opt for consultancy services as a straightforward solution. Consultants provide in-house teams that can set up reporting systems, develop solutions, implement them, and then depart. However, this option can be costly, potentially three times more expensive than engaging an interim contractor.

 

Interim/Contractor – This is often a really good solution for when businesses know what they need to achieve, and they need someone to implement it from within. The interim person has previous experience, so can hit the ground running and will be a cost-effective solution compared to consultancy support (up to 50-70% cheaper). They may even work hand in hand with your consultancy partner but will save on overall cost compared to needing a team around the clock.

 

Permanent – If budget allows, hiring a permanent sustainability expert is the preferable option. Legislation will likely ramp up in the coming years. Having an in-house permanent expert is the more cost-effective and sustainable solution; helping integrate systems, conduct critical stakeholder engagement and programme management.



This is an unprecedented time for sustainability, with a surge in legislation. While there are both challenges and opportunities, it is clear the way we do business is evolving.


If you’re uncertain about navigating CSRD, feel free to get in touch. It’s a conversation Acre is having daily.

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Lawrence Hallett
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sector-iconConsumer Marketsinsight-type-iconThought Leadership
5 Sustainability Issues Affecting the UK

At our sustainability recruitment agency and in our daily lives, sustainability issues are a subject at the forefront of our minds when we look at the impacts everyday living has on the environment.

 

Ultimately, we are responsible for ensuring we do not deplete our precious supply of natural resources and must work collectively and harmoniously to keep our planet spinning with minimal damage inflicted.

 

From eating less meat to reducing our carbon footprint when travelling, there are many ways we can live more sustainably. But there are many environmental issues in the UK and Acre has taken a look at five of the culprits.

 

 

1. Plastic Pollution

 

Plastic is not fantastic, environmentally, as we’re all too aware. We’ve ditched the plastic straws and gone back to basics with more environmentally friendly retro-style paper versions (which, let’s face it, were good enough for us when we were milk guzzling kids at school) and now many firms are leaping onto the eco bandwagon and using recycled plastic or alternative materials in their products. But currently, it’s not enough.

 

With only a third of the UK’s annual 1.5m tonnes of recyclable plastic waste being recycled, plastic pollution is big news this year and we have a large battle on our hands to protect the longevity of our planet.

 

Why is plastic catastrophic for marine life?

This year’s World Environment Day chose plastic pollution as its theme and it’s no wonder. As much as 40 per cent of plastic produced is packaging, used just once and then thrown away and as we know, the plastic crisis is catastrophic for marine life (eight million tonnes of waste plastic ends up in the sea each year).

 

Plastic is killing mussels, dolphins, turtles – the list goes on. Last year, a report for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimated that, by 2050, the amount of plastic in the seas will outnumber the fish.

 

A 2022 study [GS1] published in Nature Climate Change found that as much as 90% of marine life are at risk of extinction by 2100 if greenhouse gas emissions are not dramatically reduced. This would impact as many as 25,000 species living in the top 100 metres of the world’s oceans, including fish, plants, bacteria and protozoans.

 

When you also factor in rising water pollution from the dumping of chemicals and trash into the ocean, which is affecting the health of all water-based ecosystems, the number of marine environmental issues that need to be tackled appears to be ever growing.

 

 

How are humans affected by plastic?

But we hardly come out unscathed ourselves. Humans are digesting plastic, via fish we consume (who have eaten the plastic that we’ve discarded). It’s a lose lose situation unless we all ditch the plastic, use alternatives where possible and are mindful about the packaging of the products we buy.

 

For example, crisp packets are made from a laminate of polypropylene and foil, developed to keep crisps fresh and crunchy by making the packet air tight. The material, which can be multi-layered, is difficult to recycle and slow to degrade. But people will of course continue to eat crisps so the packaging, unless manufactured using alternative materials, will carry on polluting our streets, countryside and sea.

 

The widespread use of plastic is one of the most prominent environmental issues that needs to be resolved, as it is now estimated that we could be eating thousands of bits of microplastic every year. Data compiled from a series of studies found that we may be consuming as much as 52,000 [GS2] particles a year, a figure that could increase up to 121,000 particles when air inhalation is taken into account.

 

 

How are some companies encouraging sustainability?

Adidas has taken a big green stride forward in its sustainability plan by making one million shoes from recycled plastic (retrieved from the ocean) and manufacturers such as Procter & Gamble are introducing recycled plastic to the bottles in their haircare range.

 

Nearly a million plastic beverage bottles are sold every minute around the world. In 2015, Americans purchased about 346 bottles per person—111 billion plastic beverage bottles in total. Here in the UK, many coffee shops are encouraging customers to buy a reusable cup or pay less for a coffee if they supply their own cup from home. We all need to act on these UK sustainability issues. Isn’t it time we all woke up and smelled the coffee (and then reused the cup, of course)?

 

2. Water Shortages

 

We are only a couple of weeks into a proper summer and already ‘water shortage’ are the words on the street. Hosepipes and sprinklers will be made temporarily redundant again if the heatwave continues. Schools have been forced to close as a result of a lack of water already.

 

Rainfall during summer could also come in the form of shorter, bigger downpours, due to climate change, causing an unusual situation where flooding and drought could exist at the same time.

 

In recent years, the threat of long-term water shortages has become one of the biggest environmental issues in the UK, although a large proportion of the population are unaware of the full extent of the problem.

 

Will the water shortage problems worsen?

The Environment Agency has warned that England is facing water supply shortages by 2050 unless rapid action is taken to curb water use and wastage. The agency has said enough water to meet the needs of 20 million people is lost through leakage every day (approximately three billion litres of water).

 

It is expected that population growth, unsustainable land use and the impact of climate change will add to supply pressures and so people are being urged by the agency to use sensible amounts of water at home and have a personal water target.

 

In 2016, 9.5 trillion litres of freshwater were extracted from the country’s rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, among others. However, both groundwater and surface water usage were seen to be at unsustainable levels.

 

 

Why will England's water supply be under increased strain in the future?

It is expected that by 2026 in England alone (not including the rest of the UK), the population is expected to be made up of 58.5 million people, which will create new pressures in areas where water availability is already under strain.

 

An Environment Agency report warns: “Projections suggest that if no action is taken to reduce demand and increase supply of water, most areas will not meet demand by the 2050s.

 

“Even low population growth and modest climate change scenarios suggest significant water supply deficits by the 2050s, particularly in the south-east.”

 

 

3. Biodiversity

 

Plants, sea creatures, bees…these are all crucial to a healthy ecosystem, which is boosted by each species on our planet.

 

We will enjoy a greater variety of crops if there is a larger number of plant species on our planet but this is only one reason we need to protect biodiversity.

 

There are many environmental challenges to overcome, according to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), which invests public money in world-leading science to help us sustain and benefit from the natural resources. NERC works closely with policymakers and industry to ensure our knowledge can support sustainable economic growth and wellbeing in the UK and around the world.

 

What are some of the threats to biodiversity?

One such threat to biodiversity is vitamin deficiency in some species of fish and birds which is linked to population decline. Low vitamin B1 can impair their immune system and change reproductive behaviour. Possible causes include low intake due to changes to algae that produces thiamine (vitamin B1), or exposure to pollution.

 

Another biodiversity threat is the underestimation of soil carbon emissions, that are released as the Earth warms. It is less clear about the effect of warming deeper down, despite loss of carbon in shallow soil being understood, and the fear is that if a substantial amount of soil carbon is missing from the projections, global warming could progress more rapidly than anticipated, with serious impacts on humans and our environment.

 

How does deep water fishing affect biodiversity?

Deep water fishing with the use of lasers is another problem. This is new technology which could be adopted instead of bottom trawling the sea for high volumes of wild seafood, as the latter damages marine environments and catches unintended animals and plants.

 

A targeted approach using wider nets and precision lasers could deliver a bigger catch with minimal damage and lower carbon but according to the Marine Conservation Institute, the best policy would be to end economically wasteful deep-sea fisheries, redirect subsidies to help displaced fishermen and rebuild fish populations in productive waters closer to ports and markets.

 

In a report published in the journal Marine Policy, marine ecologists, fisheries biologists, economists, mathematicians and international policy experts show that, with rare exceptions, deep-sea fisheries are unsustainable.

 

 

4. Climate Change

 

The earth’s temperature has increased noticeably over the past half century and more than nine out of ten climate scientists agree carbon emissions – that we create – are the main cause of global warming.

 

Some of the hot weather we are currently experiencing is typical of the season, but if it becomes too out of character, we can’t avoid hearing about the perils of climate change. And it’s a real problem.

 

What unique challenges does climate change present in the UK?

 

Our UK weather is infamously unpredictable and we are all only too aware of the four seasons in one day possibility. Easter brought snow and warm sunny days almost simultaneously, leaving us unsure whether we needed don Raybans or snowboots. It was a crazy combination of ice lollies and building snowmen, just weeks apart.

 

Now we are enjoying a “proper” summer but climate change is impacting the timing and nature of rainfall in England, causing hotter summers and warmer, wetter winters. It is a culprit for the water shortage issue we’ve already mentioned.

 

Why will global warming be so detrimental to our climate?

While it may appear that summer has arrived as normal and we can all enjoy the long, hot days of bright sunshine, the rising temperatures pose a deadly threat to life on our planet. It adds to the long list of environmental problems in the UK and is one of the main causes of concern about how dramatically our day-to-day lives could be impacted in the very near future.

 

Global warming is expected to be the greatest cause of species extinctions this century. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says a 1.5°C average rise may put 20-30 per cent of species at risk of extinction. If the planet warms by more than 3°C, most ecosystems will struggle.

 

We have to take responsibility for this, considering the amount of fossil fuels we have burnt, and the meat we have consumed (cows contribute 3 per cent of Britain’s overall greenhouse gas emissions and 25 to 30 per cent of its methane).

 

Whilst at first it may be difficult to understand how eating a piece of meat could damage the planet, when you take a closer look at the food supply chain, including growing livestock numbers, storage issues and transportation requirements, it quickly adds up to one of the Earth’s major environmental issues.

 

 

5. Air Pollution

 

Sometimes you just want a breath of fresh air but it’s not always as simple as that. Toxic air is a major cause of many ailments in the UK.

 

While polluted air doesn’t kill people directly, it shortens the lives of approximately 40,000 people a year in the UK via heart or lung problems and worsens symptoms for asthma sufferers. In fact, analysis by Asthma UK found that poor air quality is responsible for triggering around 337,500 asthma attacks [GS3] in those registered with the condition in London.

 

How bad is the air pollution in the UK?

Actually, air pollution in the UK has been slowly dropping (excluding ammonia as a result of farming) but nitrogen oxide (NOx) and harmful particulates limits are still being breached in major UK cities like London. Not good, as it causes the environment to be acidic and corrosive. London’s air is one of the dirtiest in Europe and in 2016 the government was ordered by the High Court to come up with a plan to clean up air across the UK in the shortest possible time.

 

Buses, taxis, machinery and industry are contributors to the pollutants in the air we breathe and the biggest proportion of pollution in UK cities comes from road transport in general.

 

Why are diesel cars a massive problem for sustainability?

Sustainability has become the new buzz word in recent years, with brands and organisations all seemingly eager to search for new solutions. However, the continued use of diesel remains one of the biggest sustainability issues in the UK, threatening to undermine the good work being done elsewhere, and alternative sources are desperately needed on our roads to reduce our over reliance on traditional fossil fuels.

 

Diesel car manufacturers were accused of cheating emissions tests, when once upon a time we bought diesel cars because they were believed to be the greener option.

 

A 2016 study by the Department for Transport confirmed this, finding that all diesel cars tested produced more pollution on the road than in the laboratory – some emitted up to 12 times the EU maximum and Friends of the Earth is calling on the government to phase-out diesel vehicles by 2025.

 

Diesel vehicles are much more polluting than petrol cars on a local scale and while a more sustainable way to travel is to walk or cycle where possible, this isn’t always doable.

 

How does air pollution affect the health of the population?

This week a study revealed pollution is to blame for nearly 15,000 new cases of type 2 diabetes in Britain each year. Figures have trebled for the number of people in the UK with type 2 diabetes over the last twenty years, costing the NHS around £14 billion a year. Our sustainability recruiters are world leading. Get in touch to discuss our latest opportunities. 

 

 [GS1]https://phys.org/news/2022-08-marine-species-extinction-greenhouse-gas.html

 [GS2]https://news.sky.com/story/humans-consuming-at-least-39-000-microplastic-particles-per-year-says-study-11735661

 [GS3]https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/londons-toxic-air-is-triggering-asthma-attacks

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Andrew Cartland
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sector-iconProfessional Servicesinsight-type-iconThought Leadership
What are the top three must-have sustainability soft skills within the consultancy market?

The consultancy market has been exceptionally tough in recent times, due to several factors including the slowing UK economy, hiring freezes and redundancies, yet there remains a constant stream of work for skilled sustainability consultants to ‘get the job done’.



I am having increased conversations with candidates and clients, where we have unpacked some of the most sought-after sustainability skills and discussed the importance of embedding them in the consultancy market.

 



Here are the three key skills within the consultancy sustainability space


1. Being commercially minded, with a purpose lens



Turning up at the office every day to tighten the sustainability function isn’t enough, but having astute business acumen and financial awareness will make strides. It’s crucial to immerse yourself in up-to-the-minute business development to understand sustainable business practices - understand the latest research, trends and market changes, either online, or by reading books, studying for a sustainability course or attending forums.



A strong, curious, and commercial mindset will help influence others in the team and create a strong company culture as well as unlock new opportunities for long-term wins.

 


2. Relationship-Building



Being able to forge strong relationships builds deep-rooted trust which enables consultants to demonstrate that they are a trusted advisor to the companies requiring their services. This will naturally encourage the client to return to the consultancy for reoccurring work due to an established and robust relationship and history of successful project delivery.

 



3. Project/Time Management



Consultancies deftly pick up new projects and complete them within a set timeframe and simultaneously work on multiple projects. This leads to an acceleration in concise project delivery and increases the likelihood of future briefs.

 



Are companies still sourcing sustainability support from consultancies?



Whether you are a business owner or someone looking for their next role, if you are pondering this question, you probably already know the answer. Sourcing the right skillset for an organisation is challenging so companies lacking specific specialist knowledge are likely to call for external support.



It may come as a surprise that external talent is sourced at an uncertain time when finances are already stretched but according to research and data provider Source Global Research, clients are gearing up to use more consultancies and other professional services next year.



It doesn’t matter what level you sit at, the type of organisation you work for, or what market you serve; technical skillsets aside, these are fundamental skills that companies are looking for when hiring sustainability talent.



Acre regularly hosts HR & People breakfast events in London and Amsterdam, which unpacked the challenges and opportunities of embedding sustainability talent within businesses. The events focused on how to attract, retain and develop top sustainability talent and revealed early insights from our 2023 Sustainability Census report. The census will be released for public viewing in the coming weeks, to gain a firmer understanding of what it's like to work in a sustainability-related profession today.

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Tanith Allen
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sector-iconEnergy & Infrastructureinsight-type-iconCase Study
The Value of a Growth Mindset at CBRE

​If you don’t often find yourself immersed in the professional development space, you may not be overly familiar with the concept of a growth mindset. So, you might be wondering, what exactly is this?

 

Think: Someone who is not only open to new ideas and concepts but actively makes decisions and achieves outcomes based on them.

 

Enter: Dave Dite, QHSE Director at CBRE.

 

Dave is no stranger to the idea of a growth mindset. Having worked with him here at Acre for the better part of the last 8 years, we’ve seen him continue to raise the bar for himself and those around him when it comes to abandoning ‘the way we’ve always done things’ and opting for new ways of achieving the desired outcomes.

 

When he was tasked with building a team at CBRE, the UK leader in commercial property, he recognised that the traditional professional development programmes that had historically been delivered within CBRE were a little dated, and he wanted something more innovative.

 

Then, by coincidence, Dave had two separate interactions in quick succession with the Acre Frameworks team and these showed him that he’d found what he’d been looking for - engaging content and delivery, focusing on impact and change in purpose-driven roles.

 

As we all know, in business, the bigger and more complex an organisation is, the more difficult it can be to get key stakeholders to engage. Over the following months, Dave strove to get the right people onto his team. He decided to take more ownership of that process and used Frameworks initially as a programme for his team which worked incredibly well.

 

The process began with everyone in the team undergoing our ‘Discovery’ process. This involves the completion of our market-leading non-technical skills assessment, followed by a 1-1 feedback session with an Acre Frameworks development coach to discuss the findings of the report; a process that Dave found fascinating.

 

After his original team had completed Discovery, Dave spent the afternoon with a couple of the Frameworks coaches going through all the results and they then mapped the results to gauge how the whole team worked together. “What really startled me was a couple of things - firstly, when you mapped the data together, it formed quite a nice picture. In other words, it said to me that the team is actually quite strong as a group because their strengths and weaknesses seem to counterbalance each other.”

 

 

"The second thing I found really interesting was that I could recognise quite a few members of my team from their Discovery results - so essentially, I could look it on the screen, and say ‘That's Person A. And that's Person B’ - but not for every single one of them. I’d probably say I recognised 60 per cent. But strangely enough, the one person that I didn't recognise from Discovery was myself.”

 

Dave then started a journey into his own personal development with Frameworks, which he says uncovered some fascinating high-level things about himself. Prior to his coaching, he states that he used to put on an avatar to come to work. i.e. get ready to leave the house, find his keys, grab his wallet, walk out the front door. At that point, he assumed the character of Dave the QHSSE lead. “That was why I didn't recognise myself on the Discovery map - and that is what the coaches at Frameworks and myself have been working on for the past couple of years. At that point, I felt able to throw the avatar in the bin and it was like a breath of fresh air.”

 

Dave has moved around quite a bit within CBRE since the avatar was discarded. Not only is he personally happy, but he is also professionally fulfilled which not many people can genuinely say. It’s been a great process for him to be part of but it has been hard work, and has kept Dave on his toe for five years.

 

Dave has built a team over the past couple of years that complement each other, who meet regularly, and whom he believes are now confident in their own skin. However, none of that would have been possible without the group working together as a team, and that is a direct result of them being part of the Frameworks product.

 

“Ultimately, it's been a fantastic journey.”

 

At Acre Frameworks we are passionate about facilitating the non-technical growth of purpose-driven professionals within the realms of health, safety and sustainability - we know that each journey is unique but equally as rewarding to the teams that embrace the process. 

 

 

Interested in how we might assist you with a people development strategy? Get in touch with us today. 

 

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Andrew Cartland

Professional Services Jobs

Business Development Manager - North America
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Industrials & Manufacturing

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New York, United States

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Hybrid

Location: United States (Houston and New York preferred)

 

Acre is proud to be supporting a global leader in ESG assurance and supply chain sustainability software in the search for a Business Development Manager to drive growth across the North American market for a leading ESG supply chain risk platform.

 

If you're a high-performing sales professional ready to bring ESG innovation to Fortune 500 supply chains, this is a unique opportunity to spearhead expansion for a best-in-class solution already trusted by global brands.

 

This role focuses on winning new business with complex enterprises in sectors including retail, manufacturing, food and beverage, and industrials.

 

The Role

Drive Growth

  • Identify and secure new enterprise clients across North America
  • Collaborate with internal teams to identify cross-sell opportunities within major accounts
  • Develop strategies to differentiate the platform and displace legacy solutions

 

Engage with Purpose

  • Build trusted relationships with senior decision-makers including CSOs, Heads of Procurement, and ESG leaders
  • Understand regional market drivers, regulations (e.g. SEC, UFLPA), and industry-specific challenges
  • Deliver compelling presentations around ESG data analytics, audit management, and supplier transparency

 

Own the Sales Cycle

  • Manage the full sales journey from lead to close with accountability for revenue performance
  • Maintain pipeline visibility and forecasting through CRM and data-led decision-making
  • Relay client feedback to ensure the platform evolves with market needs

 

 

What They're Looking For

  • Proven enterprise SaaS or technology sales experience, ideally within ESG, sustainability, or supply chain risk
  • A driven and strategic hunter with a history of exceeding revenue targets
  • Commercial and technical fluency to simplify complex solutions
  • Skilled at navigating large, matrixed client organizations
  • Familiarity with North American ESG regulations and buyer trends is highly desirable
  • Fluency in English is required; Spanish or French is a plus

 

 

Why Join This Business?

This fast-scaling business is redefining ESG risk management in global supply chains. With proprietary data, a forward-looking product roadmap, and deep client engagement, the company is positioned as a category leader.

Operating as part of a global assurance group, it combines the pace of a digital innovator with the reach and credibility of an established multinational, serving as a trusted partner to the world’s most recognized brands.

 

 

Apply now or contact Richard Kent at richard.kent@acre.com to explore this opportunity further.

Business Development Manager - Europe
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Clean Technology

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London, Greater London, England

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Hybrid

Acre is proud to be supporting a global leader in ESG assurance and supply chain sustainability software in the search for a Business Development Manager to drive European growth for an award-winning ESG supply chain risk platform.

 

If you're a high-performing sales professional who thrives in fast-paced, competitive environments and you're ready to make an impact, this is an outstanding opportunity to lead market expansion for one of the sector’s most respected and innovative platforms.

This role is focused on generating new business with large, complex organisations across industries such as retail, apparel, food, and heavy industry.

 

 

The Role

Drive Growth

  • Identify, pursue, and secure new enterprise opportunities across Europe
  • Collaborate with the broader commercial team to uncover cross-sell opportunities
  • Develop and execute strategies to differentiate the platform and gain market share

 

 

Engage with Purpose

  • Lead value-driven conversations with senior stakeholders including CSOs, Procurement Heads, and Risk Leaders
  • Tailor your approach to align with sector-specific challenges and evolving compliance requirements
  • Confidently present platform capabilities in ESG risk analytics, audit management, and supplier due diligence

 

 

Own the Sales Cycle

  • Manage the entire sales process from lead generation to closing deals, with full accountability for results
  • Leverage CRM tools to maintain pipeline visibility, forecast accurately, and make informed decisions
  • Provide strategic feedback to product teams to ensure continuous improvement and relevance

 

 

What They're Looking For

  • Experience in enterprise SaaS or technology sales, ideally with exposure to ESG, sustainability, or supply chain risk
  • A motivated self-starter with a strong track record of new business development
  • Commercially savvy, technically competent, and able to communicate complex ideas with clarity
  • Skilled at engaging senior stakeholders across multinational businesses
  • Knowledge of ESG-related regulations in Europe is highly desirable
  • Fluency in English and ideally one additional European language

 

 

Why Join This Business?

This is a high-growth, high-impact organisation with ambitious plans to scale rapidly. The platform is built with a customer-first mindset and powered by proprietary data that sets it apart in the market.

 

With a strong client base of global brands and deep technical expertise across multiple regions, the business offers a unique combination of real-world insight and digital innovation. Ongoing investment in product development, emerging technologies, and regulatory intelligence ensures continued leadership in the space.

 

As part of a globally recognised group with operations in over 150 countries, the platform benefits from significant reach, credibility, and collaborative opportunities, combining the agility of a tech-forward business with the backing of a market-leading assurance provider.

 

 

Apply now or contact Tiana Thomas at tiana.thomas@acre.com to explore this opportunity further.

 

 

ESG Compliance & Reporting Lead FTC
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Professional Services

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London, Greater London, England

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Hybrid

12-month FTC, part-time (3 days a week)

 

We are working with a global sustainability consultancy who are seeking a Compliance and Reporting Lead to oversee environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance and reporting across their global operations. This is an exciting opportunity for a proactive and strategic individual to lead compliance initiatives, ensure the timely submission of mandatory reports, and manage global sustainability data.

 

 

In this role, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining compliance processes, managing internal ESG data, and ensuring adherence to global policies. You’ll collaborate closely with local teams to verify compliance, manage ESG-related queries, and support the delivery of high-impact sustainability outcomes.

 

 

Responsibilities

  • Oversee global reporting requirements, ensuring timely and accurate submissions to meet regulatory demands.
  • Manage adherence to policies across the organisation, including water usage, anti-slavery, and sustainability-related areas.
  • Collaborate with local teams to verify compliance with global standards and policies.
  • Maintain audit-ready documentation and processes for ESG compliance activities.
  • Respond to ESG-related queries and support internal engagement efforts.
  • Liaison between internal teams to ensure smooth integration of ESG data and processes.
  • Assist in preparing and conducting quarterly governance processes to review data and compliance progress.
  • Support the creation of internal and external engagement materials through research and analysis.
  • Collaborate with the ESG team to implement best practices and drive continuous improvement in sustainability efforts.

 

 

Person Specification

  • Strong expertise in ESG data management, including data collection, validation, and analysis.
  • Solid understanding of global compliance reporting requirements and regulations.
  • Familiarity with ESG data platforms.

 

 

If you are a highly skilled ESG professional with a passion for sustainability and a strong background in compliance and reporting, we would love to hear from you. Please send your CV to Tiana Thomas at tiana.thomas@acre.com

Account Director - 12 Month FTC
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Professional Services

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West Sussex, UK

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Hybrid

12-Month Maternity Cover

We are working with a consultancy who are seeking a dynamic Account Director for a 12-month maternity cover. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced relationship manager to oversee strategic client accounts, lead service delivery, and drive operational excellence across cross-functional teams.

In this role, you'll take charge of managing high-value customer relationships, ensuring that all services are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with contractual expectations. You’ll collaborate with internal teams to optimise processes, identify new growth opportunities, and represent the business at key industry events.

 

 

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of services to key accounts, ensuring strategic alignment and timely execution

• Manage client relationships, understanding their drivers and translating them into actionable deliverables

• Oversee projects from start to finish, coordinating with internal teams and managing resources effectively

• Support business development efforts through upselling and client growth strategies

• Coach, mentor, and support the Operations team, contributing to training and skills development

• Collaborate on contract negotiations and ensure adherence to customer agreements

• Monitor and report on project performance, customer satisfaction, and account KPIs

• Represent the company at industry events and forums, promoting brand visibility and thought leadership

• Support financial processes, including accurate invoicing and assisting with credit control where needed

• Lead onboarding for new customers, working cross-functionally to ensure a seamless handover and setup

• Advise clients on strategic water management options and promote sustainability-focused services

 

 

Person Specification

• Proven experience in client management, project delivery, and strategic account leadership

• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to manage budgets and drive performance

If you are a highly skilled and experienced Client Manager looking to make a real impact, please get in touch and send your CV to Tiana Thomas at tiana.thomas@acre.com

Estate Energy Manager
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Professional Services

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London, Greater London, England

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On-Site

Acre is delighted to be supporting a leading real estate organisation with the recruitment of an Estate Energy Manager to oversee and optimise energy operations across a new, flagship high-profile mixed-use estate in London.

 

This is a pivotal role, with responsibility for ensuring the cost-effective procurement, accurate tenant billing, and overall performance of the estate-wide energy infrastructure – while contributing to the broader sustainability ambitions of the business.

 

As part of a collaborative and forward-thinking operational team, the successful candidate will lead efforts to drive energy efficiency, monitor utility usage, and identify optimisation opportunities through data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and industry best practice.

 

 

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the energy operations across the estate, with a strong focus on utility procurement, metering infrastructure, monitoring, and accurate tenant rebilling.
  • Oversee the deployment and optimisation of technologies to support accurate data collection, validation, and cost allocation.
  • Support and improve processes for occupier billing in collaboration with the finance team.
  • Conduct regular audits and analysis of energy consumption across the estate to drive cost savings and carbon reductions.
  • Define, monitor, and report on energy-related KPIs, contributing to estate-wide sustainability and performance targets.
  • Support compliance with regulatory frameworks and energy-related accreditations (e.g. NABERS), ensuring the business is aligned with best practices.
  • Prepare internal and external sustainability and performance reports, using insights to engage stakeholders and shape future strategy.
  • Facilitate collaborative working groups with tenants and service providers, driving collective action on energy performance.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for energy-related queries, and represent the estate in engagement with industry bodies, energy advisors, and government agencies.

 

 

About You

  • Experience in energy management, ideally within real estate or mixed-use developments, with a strong understanding of UK energy regulations and sustainability frameworks.
  • Proven track record in utility procurement, metering systems, energy cost allocation and performance reporting.
  • Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills – able to translate complex energy data into accessible insights.
  • Analytical and financially literate, with confidence managing budgets and investment cases related to sustainability.
  • Familiar with tools and platforms for energy data monitoring, reporting and compliance tracking.
  • Experience with energy certification schemes such as NABERS is advantageous.
  • Self-starter with a problem-solving mindset and the ability to build positive working relationships across departments and occupiers

 

This is an exciting opportunity to be at the heart of one of London’s new and most iconic destinations, shaping the energy and sustainability strategy across a diverse and ambitious estate. If you're driven by impact, performance, and collaboration – we’d love to hear from you.

 

 

Please apply directly or reach out to Ruth.Smith@acre.com for more information.

HSE Business Partner
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Professional Services

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England, United Kingdom

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On-Site

Are you working in health & safety because you want to make a difference? Do you have a desire to create meaningful change and be part of a well-performing team?

 

 

This organisation, a national residential developer, knows that its future must be a safe and sustainable one. Day to day, you'll be putting your experience and expertise into setting realistic and meaningful health & safety objectives. You'll work closely with regional leadership teams to ensure a collective vision that extends beyond systems and compliance to focus on people and behaviour, helping to create a positively reinforced learning culture.

 

 

 

You'll be joining an excellent team, and as the HSE Business Partner for the North East region, you will be:

 

  • A confident and experienced influencer - You'll be the functional H&S lead on all developments in the North-East region, responsible for embedding continuous improvement into the company strategy and engaging with the senior leadership team.

  • Organised and happy to be hands-on - You'll work closely with the regional leadership teams to ensure H&S is a key factor in the lifecycle of a development, from design through to completion.

  • Commercially aware - You will be making sure that you're positioning the business in line with local partners and their H&S objectives.

  • An innovator - You'll thrive on new ideas and challenging traditional methods of working. You'll win the hearts and minds of a variety of stakeholders, both internally and externally, to ensure operational teams take accountability and ownership of H&S performance.

 

 

 

The organisation's aim is simple: to deliver more of the high-quality, multi-tenure, new homes the UK needs - at prices people can afford, in places where they want to live.

 

 

This business is delighted to have achieved 5-star builder status in the National Home Builders Federation (HBF) Awards. This is only awarded to homebuilders who receive a rating of at least 90% in the National New Homes Customer Satisfaction Survey- demonstrating the commitment to a high quality service.

 

 

In terms of experience:

 

  • It's important that you have experience working in a HSE function and ideally understanding of the construction sector.

  • If you can demonstrate that you'll able to build relationships at every level, that will go a long way.

  • Some creativity and evidence of collaboratively solving problems in your current health & safety role is welcome.

 

 

You will be based in the North East of England, ideally within Newcastle, Sunderland, Hartlepool, Durham, Darlington, Middlesbrough, Hebburn, or surrounding areas, and there will be 10 developments in your region. That will mean some driving, so a license is essential!

 

 

If this has piqued your interest, get in touch with Ruth Smith on ruth.smith@acre.com to discuss the role. Don't worry if your CV isn't ready yet - we can work with what you've got.

Director Global Sustainability
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Professional Services

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Chicago, Illinois, United States

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Hybrid

Acre is proud to partner with TMS in the search for a Director, Global Sustainability, Product Lead (Americas)

 

 

The Director, Global Sustainability Product Lead (Americas) role will sit within TMS's Global Sustainability team. The Sustainability team supports the delivery of client Sustainability strategic objectives, focused on product and supply chain, through operations, reporting and legislation tracking. To do so, the team collaborates with key stakeholders across various internal and client cross-functional teams, Suppliers, Consultants and external organizations. The global Sustainability team sits across 3 geographic regions, supporting global, regional and market activities.

 

 

This is a senior level role within TMS's Americas Sustainability function, supporting the regional Client in development and delivery of their sustainability strategy. This role provides expert guidance and knowledge on legislation, andsupplier engagement while managing internal and external stakeholder expectations to deliver on the client's sustainability ambitions.

 

 

This role will also manage a Senior Manager, Sustainability (Americas) role initially, with a view to manage a broader team as we continue to grow this team.

 

Role Responsibilities 

 

  • Develop & lead the strategic direction for sustainable packaging

  • Provide subject matter expertise and leadership-level support for initiatives led by the Client and other TMS functions.

  • Ensure robust understanding of legislation and emerging trends

  • Manage effective partnerships with key external stakeholders

  • Lead the Client relationship for sustainable packaging and manage Client KPIs

  • Develop and leverage supplier relationships

  • Defining external engagement strategy and direction for NA markets

  • Specify recommendations in support of client sustainability requirements for NA

  • Manage resources effectively to support regional needs

  • Drive and specify systems and process enhancements for the NA region

  • Manage delivery of NA Sustainability Budget, and oversight of third party provider budgeting process

  • Provide input on Global budget setting and maintenance for the TMS Sustainability function

 

 

Qualifications 

 

  • In excess of 8 years of relevant experience with sustainable packaging

  • Degree qualified in a relevant discipline

  • Experience of leading the sustainable packaging Strategic Direction for a major brand

  • Client management expertise

  • Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills

  • People management experience

 

 

About TMS

 

TMS unites technology, marketing, and sourcing to drive transformational change for the world's leading brands. With 1,200+ employees across 26 countries, TMS offers an impressive range of solutions - from inspiration and innovation to category management and delivery.

 

 

Operating as a creative agency, a strategic consultancy, a sourcing business, and a technology provider, TMS engages with over 110 million customers every single day for our clients, including McDonald's, T-Mobile, O2, Starbucks, and Adidas.

 

 

Most importantly, tms is a place where you can achieve great things, and be recognized as the best.

 

 

TMS Diversity Statement

 

Breakthrough, business-driving ideas come from extraordinary people with the freedom to be their most authentic selves at work. Authenticity and diversity are critical elements of our business. They can only be realized when we create access and equity for all. We foster a culture of inclusion and belonging and aspire to be ever-evolving.

 

 

TMS is a place where brilliant people are better together. If you want your ideas to be heard and to contribute to a culture of inclusion and authenticity, bring us your voice!

 

 

Apply directly and reach out to Shannon Lewis at shannon.lewis@acre.com for more information

Market Analysis

At Acre, our deep expertise in sustainability sets us apart from other recruitment agencies. Clients and candidates alike trust us for our comprehensive insights into industry trends, talent demands, and emerging challenges. Our in-depth market knowledge allows us to provide strategic guidance and data-driven solutions, helping organisations and professionals navigate the evolving ESG landscape with confidence. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about this dynamic market.

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What are the key hiring trends in professional services for ESG and sustainability?
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How is ESG shaping hiring strategies in professional services?
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What skills are most in demand for ESG professionals in professional services?
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Why is specialist recruitment essential for professional services firms?
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