Global CEO advisory firm Teneo has announced  the appointment of Mark Watson as head of ESG advisory, Asia Pacific.

Prior to joining Teneo, Watson was global head of sustainability at John Swire & Sons (HK), the holding company for the Swire Group, where he led ESG strategy. He has also held roles as head of environmental affairs at Cathay Pacific; head of corporate environmental affairs at SBAC; and policy advisor at the Energy Retail Association.

With over 25 years of experience in sustainability, Watson specialises in providing strategic counsel to boards and senior leadership teams, guiding ESG strategy, performance, disclosure and communications. 

He has advised a range of companies on sustainability issues covering material environmental risks such as climate change, water, energy, and waste; social challenges; external ESG investor ratings and performance; and green finance initiatives.

“Mark’s appointment represents a significant development in Teneo's ESG advisory capabilities in the Asia Pacific region,” said Gaby Sulzberger, chair, global ESG advisory, Teneo.

“Mark has extensive experience guiding one of Asia's largest conglomerates on developing and executing against their E, S & G ambitions and stakeholder expectations, which will be invaluable to our client base in the region and globally. Mark will guide our clients through evolving customer, investor, employee, government and regulator expectations across the region, collaborating across Teneo's integrated advisory services.”

Watson joins Teneo following the appointment of Sulzberger as chair, global ESG advisory, in 2021.

Working closely with Gaby, he will be a critical member of a core global team advising CEOs, boards and leadership teams on the development and execution of their ESG ambitions and creating world-class strategies to engage critical stakeholders.

“Over the last few years, companies and governments have strengthened their ESG commitments and actions in areas ranging from net zero, to diversity, equity, and inclusion, to governance measures. I’m excited by the opportunity to support Teneo’s clients as they make and deliver on their ESG-related pledges even as geopolitical, macroeconomic and climate factors pose unprecedented challenges to business models and operational approaches,” said Watson.