Sustainability and ESG are no longer side projects.
They shape how businesses source, operate, report, grow and earn trust. From responsible supply chains and ethical trading through to environmental impact, governance, packaging, compliance and social responsibility, the right people can help turn good intentions into meaningful progress.
That takes more than passion.
It takes commercial understanding, technical knowledge, influence and the ability to make change happen across a business.
Zachary Daniels works with retailers, brands, suppliers and consumer businesses to find sustainability and ESG talent with the judgement, credibility and drive to make a real difference.
Sustainability and ESG recruitment is about finding people who can connect purpose with practical delivery.
The right person needs to understand your business, your supply chain, your reporting requirements, your customers and the commercial pressures around every decision. They need to influence teams, manage stakeholders, work with suppliers and help the business move forward without losing sight of what is realistic.
That balance matters.
From Sustainability Managers and Ethical Trade specialists through to Heads of ESG, Compliance Leaders and senior sustainability appointments, Zachary Daniels helps businesses find people who can support progress, strengthen accountability and build better ways of working.
If you work in sustainability, ESG or ethical trade, the next move needs to give you the right kind of platform.
That might mean more influence, a broader remit, stronger leadership support, a more complex supply chain or the chance to shape a sustainability strategy that is genuinely moving.
Your values matter. So does the environment you put them into.
Zachary Daniels takes the time to understand what you have delivered, what you want to change and where your skills are likely to have the greatest impact.
So whether you are actively looking or quietly open to the right opportunity, the conversation starts properly.
Every recruiter says they understand specialist recruitment. Zachary Daniels understands the businesses these roles support.
Across the UK and internationally, our teams work with retailers, consumer brands, suppliers and growing businesses. That gives us a clear view of how sustainability and ESG roles are developing, where the strongest talent sits and what businesses need from people leading this work.
Some of the clients we’ve partnered with:
Sustainability and ESG roles need commitment. That part is clear.
But commitment alone is not enough. The right person also needs to understand data, reporting, regulation, suppliers, risk, product, operations and the commercial realities of change.
That is why the brief matters.
The search needs to reflect the reality of the role, the level of influence, the maturity of the ESG strategy, the reporting line, the supply chain and what success will actually look like once the person is in post.
The strongest sustainability and ESG candidates are often already making progress where they are.
They may be leading supply chain improvements, building reporting frameworks, shaping ethical trade programmes or helping leadership teams make better decisions. They may not be actively applying, but the right opportunity, explained properly, can still start a conversation.
Reaching them takes market knowledge, discretion and a clear understanding of what would make the move worthwhile.
Sustainability and ESG hiring is too important for a numbers game.
You need people who understand the detail, can influence the business and have the credibility to work with suppliers, leaders and wider teams. People who can bring momentum without overpromising.
A better shortlist gives you properly matched, properly briefed and genuinely interested candidates. Not a long list, but people who make sense for the role, the culture and the work ahead.
The process starts with a proper conversation about the role, the business, the supply chain, the reporting requirements, the ESG priorities and what success needs to look like. Salary, flexibility, culture and progression all matter too.
The search covers active and passive sustainability, ESG, ethical trade and compliance talent, including people who may not be applying for roles but could be open to the right move.
Candidates are assessed against technical experience, commercial understanding, motivation, communication style, stakeholder management, culture fit and the practical requirements of the role.
From interview planning to feedback, offer management and start-date conversations, the process is kept moving so both sides stay clear, engaged and informed.
Sustainability and ESG covers a broad mix of environmental, ethical trade, governance, reporting and responsible sourcing roles. We recruit across specialist, management and senior leadership appointments.
Typical roles include:
“Zachary Daniels was originally recommended to me via a candidate, which in itself is a real positive. Well-connected and respected within the commercial trading retail/wholesale industry, [they] clearly understand client needs and take the time and effort to know what candidates are looking for, which allows for sound judgment calls on the ‘right match’. Clients and candidates are treated with care and professionalism which really sets [ZD] apart.” – Rachael Evans, Senior HRBP & Head of Group Recruitment
“Having worked with Zachary Daniels for several years now I would highly recommend partnering with [them] to anyone in my network. Highly professional, reliable and always going the extra mile!” – Danny Golby, Head of UK Sales, The Hut Group
Find out from the people who’ve already worked with Zachary Daniels – check out our testimonials and find out more about our approach.
We take pride in understanding your business needs through industry knowledge. Whether you need professionals in fashion retail, e-commerce, or traditional store management, our tailored approach ensures that we find the right candidates for your needs.