We are delighted to announce the appointment of Madlen Jannaschk to the role of ESG Director for our global business. This new position will lead the evolution and implementation of our consultancy’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies, actions, and reporting.

Jannaschk has previously held the role of ESG Lead for Asia-Pacific, achieving significant milestones for both the business and our clients, including securing the first formal Climate Active certification for a property sector services provider. She has also led the development of comprehensive sustainability and decarbonisation strategies for clients including government departments, private health sector trusts, construction companies and commercial services organisations.

“The success of our work with clients underscores the importance of having measurable targets, verifying milestones and continually looking for opportunities to improve,” Jannaschk said.

“In my new role, I will be working across the business to ensure Cundall as an organisation continues to progress our own ESG commitments, embedding them in every aspect of our internal practices and equipping all our people to share the lessons we learn with clients and the wider industry.”

Cundall Managing Partner, Carole O’Neil, said the role is an important element of the company’s overarching strategy.

“Our strategic pillars include excellence in delivery and net zero carbon design. Effective ESG leadership is foundational to bringing these pillars to life for the benefit of our people and for the betterment of the built environment as a whole,” O’Neil said.

“Madlen brings enormous passion and a vast body of knowledge to her new role, ensuring Cundall’s policies, practices and systems align with global and relevant local standards, such as the EU Taxonomy, the ISSB mandatory reporting standards and Science Based Targets. Just as many of these major policy and regulatory initiatives touch our clients and their work, they also apply to us, and we are taking the lead on demonstrating best practice.”

For Asia-Pacific ESG clients there is also good news, with highly-qualified ESG expert and accredited carbon auditor Alex Stathakis joining the Australian business as Associate – ESG. Alex holds qualifications including a Bachelor of Business Management, a Master of Business and a Master of Technology & Innovation Management. He is also one of only a handful of approved Airport Carbon Accreditation verifiers in Asia-Pacific.

Australia Managing Director, David Collins, said the appointment reflects the rapid uptick in demand for tangible ESG credentials and credible reporting.

“There are two big forces at work in the Asia-Pacific region – the push factor of regulatory shifts in relation to mandatory disclosure of climate impacts and other ESG matters such as Modern Slavery compliance and social value metrics, and the pull factor of continued growth in infrastructure, transport, industrial and data centre developments,” Collins said.

“Alex brings a wealth of experience in delivering the meaningful strategies that embed best practice ESG as business as usual.”

Stathakis has a substantial track record across the corporate, infrastructure and finance sectors. He is also a recognised expert in the field, having co-authored a paper that has been cited in the IPCC AR5 and AR6 reports.

“I am excited about the opportunity to engage with Cundall’s global technical and engineering expertise,” Stathakis said.

“Cundall's global reach and extensive resources will enable me to provide advanced technical emissions reduction solutions that go beyond typical offerings. I will be delivering practical greenhouse gas abatement strategies, including solutions for challenging sectors such as aviation.”