Knight Frank names Wesley Thomson Head of ESG for MENA region

Knight Frank has signalled its intent in the ESG space with the appointment of Wesley Thomson as its Head of ESG for the Middle East & North Africa region.

“The appointment of Wesley is a testament to our commitment to integrating robust ESG practices into our business. By doing so, we not only enhance our services but also contribute to the well-being of the region,” said James Lewis, Managing Director of Knight Frank in the Middle East & Africa region.

Headquartered in London, Knight Frank is a global consultancy specialised in the property and real estate sector. The firm offers services such as consultancy, transactions support, valuations, but also real estate broking and management services.

In his new role, Wesley Thomson will ensure that ESG is embedded in all of Knight Frank’s service offerings. He will also have an internal remit, ensuring that Knight Frank leads the way in ESG when it comes to its own operations and policies.

“I am thrilled to join Knight Frank and lead the ESG efforts in the MENA region. ESG and sustainability are crucial for the long-term success and resilience of businesses, particularly in this region where rapid development and environmental considerations must go hand-in-hand. I look forward to working with the team to drive meaningful and lasting impact that aligns with the firm’s values of excellence and integrity,” said Thomson.

With around two decades of professional experience, including at several major consulting groups, Thomson is a well-known expert in the ESG consulting landscape. Among others, he previously served as the Global Sustainability Development Lead at Accenture, and as a senior leader in the ESG practice of Guidehouse.

Early 2021, Thomson crossed to the property segment of the landscape, holding senior roles at Knight Frank counterparts JLL and Avison Young, where he latterly served as Head of ESG for the EMEA region.

Notable achievements during his career in the UK include leading the launch of E.ON’s first battery storage solution in the UK, valued at over £30 million per year, and the development and launch of the first electric vehicle charging solution in the UK market, also valued at over £30 million. He has also led teams that secured major service contracts with high-profile clients such as Procurement Scotland, GSK, Burberry, NIKE, Novartis, and PayPal.

Most recently at Contango in Abu Dhabi, Thomson led ESG projects for portfolio companies, focusing on emission measurement, decarbonisation, climate risk assessments, and sustainability reporting.

“Wesley’s arrival marks a significant milestone for Knight Frank in the MENA region. His extensive experience and visionary approach to ESG will have a profound impact on all our service lines, ensuring that we meet and exceed the evolving demands and needs of our clients. His leadership will drive our ESG strategies forward, fostering innovation and sustainability across our operations,” said the Dutchman Harmen de Jong, MENA Regional Partner and Head of Consultancy at Knight Frank.

According to research from Kroll, companies that lead the way in ESG reap the returns in areas such as reputation, efficiency and financials, however, in the Middle East, there still remains much to be done for the region to hit higher levels of ESG maturity.