7 Sustainability Executive Moves (So Far) in January 2026: New Hires, Departures and Career Changes

Chief sustainability officers (CSOs) and their lieutenants remain on the move worldwide. Here's a look at key sustainability executives and their latest career moves as of January 2026. Plus, we mention a few executives who work in and around the sustainability sector -- without necessarily sitting in the office of the CSO.

7. Retiring - IT Services: After nearly 30 years at Wipro, Senior VP Sunita Rebecca Cherian is retiring. Her executive leadership roles at Wipro spanned HR, sustainability, sales and more.

6. Executive Update - FInancial Services: Hotung Investment Holdings Limited has named Chien-Kuo Fang as chief sustainability officer (CSO). He will oversee the group's sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) matters, the investment firm said. Hotung CFO Hsieh-Ho Chen previously oversaw the CSO function.

5. Startup: Aviva Investors veteran Steve Waygood has become founding CEO of the Finance Transition Centre (FTC), a think thank focused on mobilizing capital for a sustainable economy, Waygood disclosed on LinkedIn.

4. Middle East and North Africa - Executive Hire: Human Planet, formerly known as KOIS Advisory, has hired former HSBC sustainability executive Sabrin Rahman as partner. The move reinforces a business move into the Middle East and North Africa. Rahman has a "mandate to build and scale innovative funding structures across climate, health, education, and livelihoods," the company said.

3. Asia - Executive Hired: HSBC has hired BNP Paribas veteran Chaoni Huang as head of sustainable finance and transition for Asia, HSBC disclosed on LinkedIn.

2. CSO Transition and Layoffs: John Swire & Sons Head of Sustainability Mark Harper has exited the business and is seeking a new CSO-type position. Meanwhile, John Swire & Sons cut around 10% of staff at its Hong Kong head office in late 2025 amid weaker corporate earnings. The cuts involved finance, risk management and sustainability, Eco Business reported.

1. Footwear: Keen has hired Ann Radil as senior director of Keen Effect, the company said. Radil will focus on Keen's corporate sustainability, philanthropy and advocacy goals.

Why IT Service Providers Should Care About Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs)

By 2027, 25% of Global 2000 companies will have assigned a chief sustainability officer (CSO) responsible for meeting their organization’s ESG goals and making ESG-related IT purchasing decisions, according to IDC.

Admittedly, we don't know if or how President Donald Trump's policies will pressure or reduce CSO roles in the United States. Regardless, we believe that technology partners need to extend their sales, marketing, engagement and support strategies to successfully fulfill CSO needs.