Global sustainability advisory firm Anthesis has announced the appointment of Dr. Matthew Bell, EY’s Global Climate and Sustainability Leader, as its next Group Chief Executive Officer, effective December 2025. Bell succeeds Stuart McLachlan, Anthesis’ co-founder and current CEO, who will remain on the company’s Board of Directors after more than a decade at the helm.

A Leadership Transition at a Defining Moment

Founded in 2013, London-based Anthesis has evolved into one of the world’s largest pure-play sustainability consultancies. The firm supports corporates, cities, and financial institutions in developing data-driven, financially grounded sustainability strategies across the value chain — from net zero and decarbonization to sustainable finance, supply chain resilience, circularity, and ESG reporting. Over the past decade, Anthesis has expanded rapidly through 24 strategic acquisitions, growing to a team of 1,400 sustainability professionals operating across more than 20 countries. The company’s growth received a major boost in 2023, when global investment firm The Carlyle Group acquired a majority stake to help scale Anthesis’ global operations.

“The sustainability field is at an inflection point,” said Dr. Matthew Bell. “Organisations face fast-evolving regulations, transparency expectations, and new technologies such as AI that will redefine how performance is measured and value is created. They need scalable, integrated solutions and Anthesis is uniquely positioned to deliver that at global scale.”

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From EY to Anthesis: A Track Record in Global Climate Leadership

Dr. Bell brings more than 18 years of experience at EY, where he most recently served as Global Leader for Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS). In that role, he oversaw a network of 4,300 professionals advising multinational corporations and governments on sustainability transformation, disclosure, and long-term value creation. Before joining EY, Bell led the UK Government’s project office for major national climate and energy policies. He also serves as Chair of the World Green Building Council, where he has championed the integration of sustainable construction and finance to advance the built environment’s net-zero goals. His appointment signals Anthesis’ intent to deepen its expertise at the intersection of policy, regulation, and commercial transformation, key arenas shaping the next wave of sustainability consulting.

Board and Investor Confidence

Anthesis Chair Derek Kemp praised McLachlan’s decade-long leadership and welcomed Bell as the ideal successor to guide the firm’s next phase of expansion:

“Stuart’s vision and leadership have built Anthesis into a global benchmark for sustainable business consulting. We’re thrilled to welcome Matthew, whose depth of policy knowledge, client experience, and leadership record will take Anthesis into its next chapter of growth and innovation.”

Alex Wagenberg, Managing Director and Partner at Carlyle, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the firm’s continued confidence in Anthesis’ strategy:

“Stuart’s stewardship created a globally trusted platform for sustainability transformation. With Matthew’s leadership, we’re confident Anthesis will continue accelerating growth, innovation, and impact for clients worldwide.”

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Looking Ahead

Dr. Bell’s appointment comes as demand for sustainability advisory services surges, driven by tightening ESG disclosure mandates, carbon regulation, and the growing financial relevance of climate risk. Under his leadership, Anthesis aims to strengthen its global delivery model, deepen digital and AI-enabled sustainability solutions, and continue building a bridge between business performance and environmental impact, a space increasingly defining competitive advantage. With Bell at the helm, Anthesis appears poised to consolidate its position as a global powerhouse for end-to-end sustainability transformation where expertise in regulation, data, and innovation converge to help organizations thrive in the next decade of climate transition.

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