News & Analysis

EY adds ESG leader to continue PE growth

The accounting firm also named a new exit readiness leader as it continues its $1bn PE expansion.

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Accounting firm Ernst & Young has named a new ESG leader as it continues to build out its private equity business.

The firm named Will Rhode EY global private equity ESG leader, a new position created to build out its ESG services for clients. He is based in London.

Will Rhode

Rhode said that in his new role he will go on growing the firm’s PE ESG business and support PE clients with their ESG agendas across fundraises, transactions and portfolio company support.

Rhode joined EY in 2021 as a strategies and transactions partner. He was previously a partner at Boston Consulting Group.

EY also named Konstanze Nardi global private equity exit readiness leader. She takes over from Charles Honnywill, who is now a transactions partner and divestiture leader at the firm. Nardi is also based in London.

Konstanze Nardi

Nardi said she will drive the exit readiness agenda for the firm to help clients prepare for a capital event at any point in time.

In June, EY announced plans to spend $1 billion over four years to expand its private equity services, ultimately hoping to double the size of its PE practice in that time. Rhode’s new ESG role and Nardi’s position are part of this planned expansion.

The firm said it plans additional hires and strategic acquisitions as part of this plan.