Standard Chartered announced that it has appointed Oliver Withers as its first Head of Biodiversity, with responsibility for working across the group to further integrate biodiversity considerations into the firm’s business activities and decision-making.  

Withers most recently served as Global Head of Biodiversity at Credit Suisse, where he helped integrate biodiversity considerations across the firm’s four business divisions and global functions, and worked on transactions including the world’s first wildlife conservation bond and sovereign debt for nature swaps. Prior to joining Credit Suisse, Withers served as Head of Conservation Finance and Enterprise at the Zoological Society of London.

Withers said:

“I’m delighted to have joined Standard Chartered as Head of Biodiversity. With a market footprint that represents some of the richest biodiversity in the world, I’m excited to be working with hugely talented and passionate colleagues to amplify the group’s work on nature and active contribution to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.”

Biodiversity – specifically the Blue Economy – is one of Standard Chartered’s four global priority areas, alongside Adaptation Finance, Blended Finance and the Monetization of Carbon.

In a social media post announcing the appointment, Marisa Drew, Chief Sustainability Officer at Standard Chartered Bank, said:

“At Standard Chartered, many of our markets contain a wealth of complex and diverse natural capital resources. As part of our sustainability approach, we look forward to playing our part, in preserving, restoring and enhancing these precious assets.”