Global professional services firm EY announced the appointment of Alexis Gazzo as Global Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Leader.

Gazzo takes on the role following the recent departure of EY’s former climate and sustainability leader Dr. Matthew Bell, who has been appointed Group CEO of sustainability advisory and solutions firm Anthesis.

In his new role, Gazzo will lead EY’s team of 4,300 professionals focused on helping clients to understand and manage climate change and sustainability-related risks and opportunities. EY’s CCaSS practice provides services across areas including sustainability reporting and assurance, ESG data and technology, sustainability integration, climate and decarbonization, sustainability, environmental, health and safety (EHS), and nature and biodiversity services, among others.

Gazzo has been a member of EY’s CCaSS practice for over 20 years, most recently serving as the leader of the firm’s CCaSS team in France since 2021. Gazzo also leads the firm’s biodiversity activities in Europe, and serves as a member of the Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD).

In a post announcing his appointment, Gazzo said:

“The meaning of the commitment of EY’s “climate and sustainability” professionals is precisely to rely on facts, on science, to help organizations transform themselves in the long term, rather than being subjected to the transformations underway. Today, despite the headwinds and turbulence, more than ever we are staying the course!”

Alongside the new CCaSS leader, EY also announced the appointment of Velislava Ivanova to the newly created position of Global Chief Sustainability Strategist, with responsibility for the innovation and integration of sustainability solutions across EY’s service lines, including education, policy and reporting.

Ivanova has been with EY for over ten years, most recently serving as Global Strategy and Markets Leader for CCaSS and as EY Americas Chief Sustainability Officer.

In a post announcing the appointments, Colm Devine, EY Global Vice Chair for Sustainability, said:

“These appointments not only reinforce sustainability as a priority area of investment for EY, but also the strength and breadth of the experience we’re drawing on to support our progress, and our clients too, in making sustainability led transformation possible.”