Addleshaw Goddard Bolsters ESG Team with David Alfrey’s Appointment

Addleshaw Goddard Bolsters ESG Team with David Alfrey’s Appointment

Addleshaw Goddard, the international law firm, has recently appointed David Alfrey as a partner. David brings with him eight years of experience from Clifford Chance LLP, where he not only founded but also served as a member of the Global ESG Board since 2020. His international recognition as a leading lawyer in sustainability-related regulation positions him well to provide strategic advice in boardrooms. His focus lies in helping businesses manage and achieve environmental and social goals while maintaining effective stakeholder engagement.

Alfrey has achieved significant milestones, including serving as a founding advisor to the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and being a founding partner of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights (CSHR). His expertise extends to advising on international standards, such as the Science-based Targets Initiative (SBTi) and the UN Global Compact, particularly in framing and implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, he has provided counsel on high-profile global greenwashing cases involving companies like Shell and BMW.

This appointment comes on the heels of other recent additions, including Tess Kelly and James Greig joining the UK Financial Services Regulatory team. Additionally, Addleshaw Goddard has expanded its international reach by appointing Jeanne-Marie Moriarty as a Financial Services Regulation partner in Dublin and welcoming Marco Zingler in Frankfurt.

Lee Shankland-Gort, Head of ESG at Addleshaw Goddard, expressed enthusiasm about David Alfrey’s appointment, stating: “We’re delighted that David has chosen to join AG. His expertise extends beyond supporting our clients, sectors, and markets with ESG advice and solutions. David will collaborate closely with our existing colleagues in Social, Sustainable, and Green Finance, as well as our FS clients, to enhance our Transition Finance offerings. His immense talent as a lawyer is evident, and his growing global reputation in ESG was underscored when the UN invited him to present at their Global Leaders summit in New York last Autumn.”

David Alfrey, upon his appointment as a partner at Addleshaw Goddard, expressed his enthusiasm: “I’m delighted to join AG as a Partner. What particularly drew me to AG is their approach to ESG and their stellar client base. As the legal ESG landscape continues to evolve, it’s essential that lawyers don’t just look at ESG through a pure risk and compliance lens. Balancing the legal uncertainty with tools and knowledge that says to a client: ‘the law might not compel you to do this, but your stakeholders will expect it’ is what helps make ESG additive for Boards; and what can have a positive impact on balance sheets. That’s been my philosophy, and I know it’s shared by Lee and AG more widely.”

Alfrey has assisted international financial institutions in formulating their global transition plans. His contributions include ensuring robust and accurate disclosures and effectively navigating conflicts of laws and expectations (including voluntary regimes) related to ESG. Additionally, David has worked across supply chains, helping clients identify business opportunities within the context of ESG.

He has a broad perspective, working across supply chains and consistently helping clients recognise opportunities within the context of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance). His expertise extends beyond mere compliance, emphasising the value of aligning business practices with stakeholder expectations.

Alfrey holds positions on several Advisory Boards, including one with the International Sustainable Finance Centre. His expertise lies in various aspects of ESG, such as Transition Planning (including Net Zero initiatives), Governance and Compliance (including Crisis management), Disclosures and Reporting (both mandatory and voluntary), Supply Chain Risk Assessments and Management, Equity Investor Expectations, ESG Laws and Regulations (both UK and EU), ESG Ratings, Biodiversity and Nature-based solutions, SBTI, and Taxonomies.