Logistics investment manager Tritax Group has appointed Alan Somerville as director of ESG.
Somerville previously ran ESG consultancy Governex Group, where he led strategies on zero carbon, climate change mitigation, green financing, technology integration and ESG disclosure.
Former roles also include executive director at Building Research Establishment; head of energy, infrastructure and sustainability at Cushman & Wakefield; director of the defence infrastructure organisation bid team at Capita; and projects director at Grosvenor.
Somerville is also a member of the all-party parliamentary group for energy studies and for net zero, as well as the Green Finance Institute and UKGBC Leaders Network. He is a UK government consultee on carbon-based legislation, and has been a member of the GRESB European benchmark committee and advisor to its infrastructure benchmark taskforce.
In his new role, Somerville will lead the development and implementation of the group’s ESG strategy, as it seeks to strengthen its capabilities and reporting at manager and fund levels. He is based at the group’s London office.
Petrina Austin, head of asset management for Tritax Group, said: “By appointing someone of Alan’s calibre, with such a deep understanding of the ESG landscape, we can make a step change in the delivery of our ESG strategy.
“Bringing his wealth of knowledge across policy, regulation, asset and property management in different sectors, Alan can help us to achieve our ambition to create world-class, sustainable logistics centres and develop our team’s ESG expertise.”
Somerville said: “I see huge potential in many of the existing assets as well as in the development pipeline to drive forward a clear ESG-led agenda, focused on best practice and performance measurement.
“Demand for high quality logistics centres will continue to outstrip supply, creating an opportunity for Tritax to lead the way through innovative, sustainable solutions that deliver buildings and infrastructure that are at the cutting edge of ESG performance, delivering to the needs of our occupiers and investors.”
To send feedback, e-mail pui-guan.man@eg.co.uk or tweet @PuiGuanM or @EGPropertyNews
