Evora launches first North American office in New York
Professional services company Evora Global is opening new offices in the United States. The UK-headquartered firm has announced the launch of a New York hub, as it seeks to tap demand for ESG consulting in the North American investment sector.
Founded in 2011 by Chris Bennett, Ed Gabbitas and Paul Sutcliffe, Evora Global is a firm which works with clients to improve their sustainability and reduce their climate risk. Having grown its headcount to more than 200 staff, the company’s headquarters are in London, with additional offices in Bolton, Frankfurt and Milan.
The firm has developed its own software, SIERA, which enables its clients to make investment decisions regarding climate change and sustainability. These clients include many of the biggest names in Europe’s real estate scene, including Hines and M&G. As Evora looks to expand that presence across the Atlantic, it has now announced the launch of a new office in New York.
According to CEO Chris Bennet, the company hopes to win a share of untapped demand in the US for sustainability services in the financial sector. This opportunity for growth could see growth reach new heights for the firm, with pension funds and portfolio holders in the US increasingly under the spotlight for their ESG performance.
Bennet continued, “Sustainability and climate risk are on everyone’s agenda right now and investment managers need ESG information about their assets. We have fund managers urging us to move into the US market because they are struggling to access capital… Investors want to be sure what they are backing is strong from an ESG approach and also that it complies with environmental legislation.
Evora Global has acquired offices on 42nd Street, New York and is announcing its launch during New York Climate Week. It will now work with clients across North America to help keep their investments flowing, by ensuring they have the best information on climate risk. To enable this, the company plans to create up to 100 jobs over the next five years.
Heading the US office is Evora Co-founder Ed Gabbitas, while net zero specialist Ryan Sit will operate as Global Head of Carbon Strategy. Meanwhile, to help lead its push in the new market, Evora has installed New York-based expert Yetsuh Frank as an Executive Vice President.
A veteran of the sustainability segment, Frank was formerly a Managing Director with the Building Energy Exchange and Director of Programmes with the Urban Green Council. He noted that while the US might be “behind Europe in terms of legislation,” with similar regulations due to come into force, “the demand for better data and advisory on sustainability and climate risk” is getting high, making “Evora is just the sort of company the US needs right now.”
