Bio

Based in Dakar, Senegal, Adrian is a leading Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and sustainability advisor to major investors and companies, focussed on implementation of best practice in Africa and emerging economies. He specialises in improving project bankability by aligning projects with the ESG expectations of international investors. Adrian possesses more than 20 years of experience in the environmental and social sector, managing compliance for internationally-significant mining and infrastructure projects across Africa and the Middle East. He also has significant experience undertaking ESG due diligence studies on behalf of financial institutions and investors. Adrian works with key international standards, frameworks and guidelines (i.e. the IFC Performance Standards, Equator Principles and numerous others) in a variety of sectors, including mining, oil and gas, energy and renewables, infrastructure (road, rail, airports), agriculture and tourism. He provides tailored and cost-effective advice towards developing management systems, managing ESIAs and implementing lender / investor requirements. Major Career Accomplishments: - Established ESS as Africa's premier implementation-focused environmental and social advisory services firm. - Engaged by a Top 10 advisory services and accounting firm as Head of Environmental and Social Sustainability. - Recognised by Head of Mining and Infrastructure at IFC for the implementation of environmental and social prerequisites to secure a USD$617 million loan for a major bauxite mine in Guinea, including development of a 22 person HSEC team of both expatriates and national staff. - Developed an office of national staff in a challenging African setting during the Global Financial Crisis, while managing and building a portfolio of over $USD 3 million of project work. - Provided green growth policy development advice for an inter-regional partnership between 5 Northern European regions.