Hanson Search: ESG Recruitment Specialists in Abu Dhabi

Hanson Search is an award-winning recruitment, executive search and talent advisory consultancy specialising in ESG recruitment in Abu Dhabi. We partner with organisations across the region to find sustainability and ESG professionals who combine technical insight with commercial thinking.

With more than 20 years of global experience — working across London, Paris, the UAE, KSA, and New York — we support clients who are building ESG capability in response to regulatory change, investor pressure, and national net-zero targets.

As a certified B Corp, we work with businesses that prioritise purpose alongside performance.

Why ESG Talent Matters in Abu Dhabi

As ESG becomes a strategic imperative rather than a reputational add-on, demand for credible, experienced sustainability professionals is rising fast. Abu Dhabi’s public and private sectors are under pressure to meet compliance obligations, manage climate risk, and lead on net-zero goals.

We help businesses respond to this shift by providing ESG talent that combines commercial experience with technical rigour.

Key drivers in the market include:

  • UAE Net Zero 2050 commitments across energy and infrastructure

  • ADX and ADGM ESG reporting and disclosure mandates

  • Investment in clean tech, circular economy and sustainable innovation

  • Rising stakeholder expectations from regulators, investors and consumers

  • Legacy momentum from COP28 accelerating ESG delivery

 

The ESG Roles We Recruit

Our ESG recruitment covers permanent, interim and advisory positions — from standalone hires to full ESG teams. Our candidate network includes both locally based professionals and global experts open to relocation.

Roles include:

  • Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO)

  • Director / Head of ESG

  • ESG Strategy & Transformation Lead

  • ESG Risk & Compliance Specialists

  • Climate Reporting & Disclosure Professionals

  • Net Zero & Energy Transition Managers

  • ESG Communications & Stakeholder Engagement Leads

  • Sustainable Investment & Impact Advisory Roles

Our search is always tailored to your brief — aligning with your sector, structure, and strategic goals.

ESG recruitment Abu Dhabi

Why Partner With Hanson Search?

We offer ESG recruitment with purpose and precision — helping clients in Abu Dhabi and beyond stay ahead in a fast-moving sustainability landscape.

What sets us apart:

  • ESG and sustainability expertise across corporate, investment, and advisory functions

  • Proven success with sovereign wealth funds, listed entities, government bodies, and family offices

  • Market mapping and competitor benchmarking for hard-to-fill roles

  • On-the-ground knowledge in the UAE, backed by global search capability

  • Permanent and interim solutions to match your hiring timeline and needs

  • A B Corp-certified approach to ethical recruitment and long-term value creation

Ready to Hire ESG Talent in Abu Dhabi?

Whether you’re making your first ESG hire or scaling a high-performing sustainability team, we’ll connect you with the people who can lead change and deliver results.

Get in touch








    Introducing
    Our Experts

    With a network spanning the UK, Europe, USA, and the Middle East, our team of recruitment consultants are experts in sourcing the best talent globally. Contact us to find your next hire, from PR pros to digital marketing experts and beyond.

    • Global CEO, Regional Head of MENA

      Alice Weightman

      Alice Weightman: CEO, Global Executive Search Leader, and UAE Market Expert: Alice Weightman is the Founder and CEO of Hanson...
    • UK & Europe Managing Partner, Global Head of Public Affairs

      Janie Emmerson

      Janie Emmerson: Janie leads Hanson Search’s UK & European based teams. From the London office, she guides and supports their...
    • Principal consultant, Sales & Marketing

      Nils Gerardin

      Nils Gerardin: Nils Geradin is a seasoned executive search and recruitment consultant with nearly ten years of experience placing senior-level...
    • Managing Partner, MENA

      Felice Hurst

      Felice Hurst: With nearly twenty years of experience in search and recruitment, and a decade of experience working in MENA,...
    • Managing Partner, Global Head of Corporate Affairs

      Katie Simpson

      Katie Simpson: Having previously spent 10 years in communications, Katie brings real industry insights into the hiring process. Taking her...
    • Partner, Global Head of Healthcare & Communications

      Amy Hayer

      Amy Hayer: Amy brings over 15 years of experience in executive search, with a focus on healthcare communications and international...
    • Partner, European Head of Public Affairs and Communications

      Barbara Ozanon

      Barbara Ozanon: With over a decade of experience in recruitment, executive search, and headhunting, Barbara Ozanon leads Hanson Search’s European...
    • Managing Consultant, Public Affairs & Policy, UK & USA

      Peter Ferguson

      Peter Ferguson: As a Managing Consultant in the Public Affairs Practice, Peter advises and supports some of the world’s most...
    • PA to CEO & Business Support

      Sam White

      Sam White: Sam joined Hanson Search in 2016 as an internal recruiter, bringing prior experience as an independent headhunter. Today,...
    • Associate Director of Operations & Inclusion

      Robyn Field

      Robyn Field: As Associate Director of Operations & Inclusion, Robyn is responsible for all business and administrative operations at Hanson...
    • Senior Consultant, Head of Digital

      Daisy Hughes

      Daisy Hughes: Daisy brings nearly a decade of recruitment experience to her role at Hanson Search, where she leads the...
    • Consultant, MENA

      Lexi Smith-Muller

      Lexi Smith-Muller: Lexi has over 10 years’ experience of recruitment & talent acquisition, and over 6 years’ experience working in...
    • Principal Consultant, Communications & Marketing

      Helena Ranger

      Helena Ranger: Helena is the Principal Consultant leading the Consumer division across PR and Marketing. She plays a pivotal role...
    • Advisor

      Nicholas Watkins

      Nicholas Watkins: Nicholas has over 30 years of business leadership experience that combines successful careers in the media, leisure and...
    • Senior Consultant, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability

      Allyson Kurian

      Allyson Kurian: Allyson is a specialist in corporate affairs and sustainability communications, working at the mid-to-senior end of the market,...
    • Senior Consultant, Communications, Europe

      Camille Chevallier

      Camille Chevallier: Having started her career as a comms professional, Camille spent 20 years in senior roles within leading agencies...
    • Business Support

      Mirjana R.Dejanovska

      Mirjana Dejanovska: Mirjana is Talent Strategist & Customer Success Manager at our sister company, The Work Crowd. Mirjana joined Hanson...
    • Internal Recruitment & Operations Lead

      Katie Cubbon

      Katie Cubbon: Katie manages internal recruitment at Hanson Search, while also overseeing office management and business operations. With experience across...
    • Researcher

      Arlena Butt

      Arlena Butt: Arlena is a valued researcher at Hanson Search, supporting the team across Public Affairs, Corporate Communications, Health and...
    • Researcher

      Kristina Ugrin

      Kristina Ugrin: With more than 10 years’ experience in the UAE and Europe, in recruitment consultancy, event management and in-house...
    • Partner, Global Head of Sustainability

      Johnny Goldsmith

      Johnny Goldsmith: Johnny leads the global Sustainability & ESG practice at Hanson Search. He has over 8 years’ experience in...
    • Senior Consultant, Corporate & Financial Communications, UK & USA

      Rachel L’Estrange

      Rachel L’Estrange: After spending six years in Corporate PR and Marketing, Rachel made the move into recruiting for the industry...
    • Business Support

      Ivana Stevanovska

      Ivana Stevanovska: Ivana is Community and Marketing Executive at our sister company, The Work Crowd. As well as being highly...
    • Head of Interim Communications

      Ben Mitchell

      Ben Mitchell: Head of Interim Communications Ben is Head of Interim Communications and works across both Hanson Search and our...
    • Head of Interim Marketing and Management Recruitment Services

      Madeleine Weightman

      Madeleine Weightman: Madeleine is Head of Interim Marketing and Management Recruitment and co-Founder of The Work Crowd, the sister company...
    • Search Director, MENA

      Amanda Dowie

      Amanda Dowie Amanda Dowie is an accomplished executive search specialist with over 20 years of global recruitment experience, including more...

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