Linklaters strengthens its global ESG offering with the appointment of Gilly Hutchinson as Head of ESG Regional Development in Asia

Linklaters is pleased to announce the appointment of Gilly Hutchinson as Head of ESG Regional Development in Asia, based in the firm’s Hong Kong SAR office.

Linklaters is at the forefront of advising clients as they navigate the changing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) landscape. With over 15 years of experience across the EU, America and Asia, the firm’s market-leading team - recently ranked Band 1 in Chambers’ inaugural Global-wide ESG Risk category - has a robust understanding of the regulatory and policy drivers of the market and experience across the full spectrum of ESG issues: from climate change and resource efficiency, human rights and community engagement, anti-bribery and corruption to transparency and disclosure, product governance, and risk management.

ESG awareness has increased in Asian markets in the last few years, and with the pace of change expected to continue to gain momentum over the next 12 months, Gilly’s appointment responds to the increasing client demand for discussions on ESG issues and for ESG related advice, demonstrating the firm’s commitment to ESG in the region and further strengthening its global ESG offering.

Linklaters remains at the forefront of rapid developments in the Asia ESG landscape. In the green energy space, the firm’s regional Energy & Infrastructure team are firmly established as the leading renewables practice in Asia, having recently advised on all of the closed offshore wind project financings in Taiwan to date, a number of developments in the offshore wind space in Japan, Korea and Vietnam, as well as onshore wind and solar projects across the wider region. Linklaters has also acted on some of the highest profile and complex transactions in the ESG bond market in Asia including on the first sustainability-linked bonds in South Asia and most recently on China Construction Bank's landmark multi-branch ESG bond issuance.

With many of Asia’s sustainability-linked finance transactions being labelled as ‘green’, greenwashing concerns are a live issue. Gilly recently hosted a podcast with dispute resolution partner, Denise Fung, exploring the topic of greenwashing and the practical steps organisations can take to protect against claims in this difficult and sensitive area.

Gilly has over 10 years’ experience advising on energy and infrastructure projects in Asia, most recently in Linklaters’ Energy & Infrastructure practice. Prior to this, Gilly worked as a senior policy advisor in the UK Government’s Department of Energy and Climate Change, where her role included providing analysis and advice to ministers on the strategic direction of the Government’s energy and climate change policy.

Corporate partner, Rob Elliot commented:

“Changes in societal expectations, public intolerance of corporate governance failures and the increasing focus on climate change and other environmental impacts are transforming investor focus in respect of company performance. “Walking the talk” and strategic alignment with ESG goals are now critical to unlocking new investment opportunities, strengthening business relationships, sustaining returns and attracting and retaining talent. Recognising how ESG will have a wide-ranging impact across our client base, we saw the need for a dedicated role focused on ESG here in Asia.”

Head of ESG Regional Development in Asia, Gilly Hutchinson commented:

“2021 saw a marked increase in momentum in ESG issues and this momentum is only set to continue with the upcoming COP26. I’m delighted to be taking on this new role as part of the firm’s ESG team.”

As a responsible business, Linklaters is committed to making an impact in all aspects of ESG in its own operations. Responsibility and sustainability are at the heart of how we operate as a business. Our people, our clients and wider society expect us to make the right choices. We are guided by our purpose and values and our ethical code and focus on accountability and transparency in the same way as our clients.