Important notice - We are aware of a scam where people are impersonating CMD Recruitment to offer jobs via WhatsApp & Telegram. This is a scam, CMD Recruitment will never contact new candidates via these methods. Any legitmate offer from CMD Recruitment would be made via a telephone call.
April 15, 2025
Change within organisations has to come from the top. So when it comes to operational shifts like going green and prioritising sustainability, it’s essential to have individuals in the organisation leading the charge.
Sustainability is not something that should be left to fall between the cracks. It’s not just about social responsibility; there are also economic arguments for going green. Sustainability is not just about the planet, it’s also about future-proofing operations so they continue to remain viable in a changing world.
With this in mind, we’re looking at the rise in demand for green leadership roles and why this is so prominent in the South West. We’ll also explore some example roles so you can see if a future in green leadership could be for you.
It’s difficult to point to a single thing that is driving an increase in demand for companies to adopt green policies.
Some would say it is driven by necessity, as organisations scramble to prepare for Net Zero targets. Others would say it is driven by consumer demand, as more people get clued up about sustainability and the role corporations play in green targets.
It could also be driven by interest from the executive level, with leaders choosing to prioritise green targets. Employees might also lead the charge, making it clear they want to work for a company that takes its environmental responsibilities seriously. And finally, the push could be as a result of economic necessity. Going green can save money in the long term, and this could deliver a competitive advantage.
Whatever the driving force behind going green, it’s clear that someone in the organisation needs to be in charge of innovating, planning and implementation. Going green is not something that can be shared between executives, as it’s something that will often be at odds with other areas of the business. Someone needs to be in charge of the push, or green targets are likely to be missed or downgraded in priority.
Companies have been called out for their performative sustainability practices, so it’s essential that the changes are meaningful and necessary, not purely for show. Hiring a sustainability leader is a great way to achieve this, as it demonstrates that you are taking the task of going green very seriously.
It’s clear that going green is not something limited to a single area, but one part of the UK is enjoying a surge in green leadership roles. If you’re looking for a leadership role that prioritises sustainability or green policy, the South West is a great place to start your search.
The South West has become a hot spot for green leadership roles simply because it is a hub of innovation and development. The industries that are thriving in the region – FinTech, AI, tourism, manufacturing and healthcare – all have something to gain from investing in sustainability practices. It will make their organisations leaner and more able to weather the storms ahead.
Another simple reason that green leadership is thriving in the South West is that it is also home to many green energy companies. Naturally, there are green leadership roles available in these organisations. And for companies looking to hire talent in the sustainability sector, it makes sense to start the search in an area where candidates are already based.
Thinking about adding a green leadership role to your C suite? Consider the following roles to help you to meet and exceed your green targets.
Chief Sustainability Officer – This role takes a top down approach to improving sustainability, by looking at the current operations and the ongoing strategy to find ways to improve. They will set targets, monitor the roll out of new initiatives and report to stakeholders on the impact this is having.
Head of Sustainability – Another popular role is the head of sustainability. They might not be sitting alongside the C suite, but they will likely report to key stakeholders on the progress of green initiatives. In this context, they are less likely to influence the direction of the organisation and will instead be tasked with implementing green policies within the limits of current and future company growth.
Green Procurement Specialist – Companies with a high level of consumption might find that the biggest impact they can have would be to switch to green products and services. The green procurement specialist will be tasked with exploring alternative options for existing procurement deals, including researching the potential impact on costs and the impact on the organisation’s Net Zero targets.
Environmental and Conservation Specialist – Companies that have the potential to have an impact on the environment might consider specialist roles like environmental and conservation specialist roles.
Back to Blog
