• EY’s former Global Leader for Climate Change and Sustainability Services to lead Anthesis from December 2025.
• Co-founder Stuart McLachlan to step down as CEO, remain on the Board.
• Appointment aligns with Anthesis’ plan to scale advisory capabilities amid rising corporate demand for sustainability transformation.

Strategic Transition at the Helm

Anthesis Group has appointed Dr. Matthew Bell as its next Group Chief Executive Officer, effective December 1, 2025, as part of a planned succession. Co-founder Stuart McLachlan will step down after more than a decade in the role, remaining on the Board of Directors to ensure continuity and strategic counsel during the transition.

The move positions Anthesis for its next phase of growth as one of the largest dedicated sustainability consultancies globally, now spanning more than 1,400 experts and 24 acquired businesses since its founding in 2013.

From Policy Leadership to Corporate Transformation

Dr. Bell brings more than 20 years of experience bridging public policy, corporate strategy, and climate innovation. Before joining Anthesis, he led EY’s global Climate Change and Sustainability Services division — a network of 4,300 professionals advising multinational clients and governments on decarbonisation, ESG reporting, and long-term value creation.

His earlier career in government saw him head the UK’s climate and energy policy office between 2003 and 2007, shaping the groundwork for national decarbonisation policy. He also chairs the World Green Building Council, the world’s largest network focused on advancing regenerative and low-carbon construction.

In announcing the appointment, Anthesis Chair Derek Kemp said Bell’s “rare combination of policy depth, market expertise, and high-performance leadership” will strengthen Anthesis’ ability to deliver on its sustainability mandate. “It is a credit to Anthesis to attract talent of his calibre,” Kemp added.

Industry Context: Scaling Sustainability at a Turning Point

The appointment comes as sustainability consultancies face intensifying demand from corporations navigating complex new reporting frameworks, AI-driven analytics, and climate risk governance. Companies are under pressure to deliver measurable ESG outcomes while aligning with evolving disclosure standards such as ISSB, CSRD, and SEC climate rules.

In his first remarks as incoming CEO, Bell described the current moment as an “inflection point” for the sustainability sector. “Organisations are operating in an environment of radical transparency and rapid regulatory change,” he said. “They will need scalable solutions to manage risk and create new forms of value. Anthesis is uniquely positioned to deliver this at scale for clients worldwide.”

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Leadership Legacy and Investor Backing

Outgoing CEO Stuart McLachlan co-founded Anthesis in 2013 with a vision to link sustainability performance directly to business growth. Over his tenure, the company built a global presence across Europe, North America, and Asia, becoming a key advisor to Fortune 500 companies and governments on sustainability integration.

McLachlan said, “Anthesis was founded on the belief that sustainability drives better performance. Working with our team to shape Anthesis into a sustainability leader has been deeply rewarding. Matthew is the right leader to build on our strong momentum and guide Anthesis through its next stage of growth.”

Private equity investor Carlyle, which took a majority stake in Anthesis in 2022, welcomed the leadership transition. “Stuart’s vision and stewardship created a differentiated platform with global scale and client trust,” said Alex Wagenberg, Managing Director and Partner at Carlyle. “We are excited to partner with Matthew and the Anthesis team to accelerate growth and execute the strategy for long-term success.”

What the C-Suite Should Note

For corporate leaders and investors, Anthesis’ leadership shift reflects a maturing sustainability services market. The sector is evolving from compliance-driven reporting toward integrated transformation — a shift that demands both technical expertise and strategic foresight. Bell’s background in policy and corporate advisory could position Anthesis to bridge those dimensions more effectively.

The company’s strengthened leadership bench, coupled with Carlyle’s financial backing, signals ambitions to compete at scale with the largest professional services firms in ESG consulting. As sustainability regulation becomes more sophisticated, Anthesis’ next chapter will test how independent advisory firms can deliver both global reach and bespoke impact for clients navigating an increasingly high-stakes ESG landscape.

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