CDC Group, the UK’s development finance institution, has appointed Mark Eckstein as director, environmental and social responsibility.
Eckstein will oversee a team that seeks to improve environmental and social standards across CDC’s portfolio of investments.
CDC’s more than 1,200 investments span 80 countries and include fund investments, debt investments and direct equity investments.
Most recently Eckstein was managing director of World Wildlife Fund US’s sustainable finance programme, and has spent much of his career focusing on the role that financial institutions can play in enabling more responsible and sustainable development. His 25-year career includes senior roles at the International Finance Corporation, Sustainable Finance Ltd and within the UK government’s Department for International Development.
Diana Noble, CDC’s chief executive, says: “Understanding and managing environmental and social issues is a key part of our investment mandate. Of course, as a development finance institution we invest in companies that care about these issues. Beyond that, we work to support our fund managers and portfolio companies in creating value by improving environmental and social standards. Mark’s expertise and experience underlines our commitment to providing the best support to our teams and partners. We are delighted he has joined the team.”
