James Hilburn named ESG M&A lead at Deloitte
James Hilburn has joined Deloitte’s financial advisory practice. He arrives as Director, and will now lead the firm’s new ESG M&A offering.
Commenting on his new role, Hilburn said, “Sustainability has a vital role to play unlocking business value as we work with our clients at the decisive intersection between commerce and the environment. Through strategic planning, harnessing ESG can also become a source of competitive advantage in the world of M&A.”
Over the last decade, environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks have swiftly risen to the top of the investment community’s agenda. One survey previously found that 92% of investors agree that over the long-term, ESG issues such as climate change and executive diversity have quantifiable impacts on businesses. As such, many investors are looking to enhance their ESG standing through M&A activity – while turning to consulting firms to advise on and support this process.
Deloitte member firms provide advisory services around M&A transactions, restructurings, raising capital, and forensic investigations. Increasingly the company is also scaling its expertise in terms of ESG to support this new demand. As leader of ESG M&A within Deloitte’s financial advisory wing, Hilburn will work to support clients in meeting their societal and environmental ambitions through acquisitions, while deploying Deloitte’s market leading global ESG capabilities.
Hilburn arrives at Deloitte from Carbon Intelligence, where he was Director of Financial Services. There he worked with asset owners, fund managers and private equity firms to optimise their business and portfolio's response to ESG. He has also had M&A and Corporate Venturing leadership roles in Deloitte Africa and managed a pan-African impact investment fund.
Commenting on the appointment Richard Bell, Deloitte Partner and Head of the UK’s Financial Advisory practice said, “Not only is ESG influencing business strategies and decision-making, but is also measurably increasing asset values. This activity presents both substantial risks and opportunities to our clients, so we are delighted to have James steering this offering.”