Credit Suisse announced today the appointment of James Purcell as Head of Sustainability Frameworks, according to a memo seen by ESG Today and confirmed by a spokesman.

In his new role, Purcell will work across Credit Suisse’s four global divisions to guide the next round of development of the Sustainable Investment Framework, while also overseeing the enhancement of the Sustainable Activities Framework, which the banks uses to classify finance eligibility for its goal to provide at least CHF 300 billion in sustainable finance by 2030.

According to the memo, Purcell will have a key role in Credit Suisse’s sustainability-related external engagement, ensuring that the bank’s sustainability strategy is accessible and well understood by clients, employees, investors and NGOs.

Purcell will join Credit Suisse’s Global Sustainability Management Committee, and Sustainability Leadership Committee, and will co-head the Credit Suisse Research Institute’s Center for Sustainability.

Purcell joins Credit Suisse after serving at Quintet Private Bank as Group Head of Sustainable, Thematic and Impact Investments, where he developed a 100% sustainable multi-asset discretionary solution deployed as Quintet’s default investment offering. Prior to this, he held different senior roles at UBS Wealth Management, including serving as Managing Director and Global Head of Sustainable and Impact Investments.

Purcell will report to Chief Sustainability Officer, Emma Crystal and will be based in Zurich.

In the memo, Crystal said:

“As we advance our sustainability approach, it is a priority for us to strengthen our core and ensure credibility in our engagement with stakeholders.”