Sustainalytics hires Vigeo international business head for new Paris office

Sustainalytics, the Amsterdam-based ESG research house, has hired Antonio Celeste, Head of International Business Development at Vigeo, a French research rival, as the firm’s Director of Institutional Relations for its new Paris office.
Last year, Responsible Investor reported that Sustainalytics was recruiting to boost client services and open new sales offices in France and the UK. Celeste will also support the company’s clients in Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg and Switzerland.
 Sustainalytics, a former consortium of European ESGresearch houses, is backed by PGGM, the Dutch pension fund, Triodos Bank and Fortis MeesPierson. It merged with Canada’s Jantzi Research in September 2009 and goes under the brand of Jantzi Sustainalytics in North America. Michael Jantzi, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Antonio was an obvious choice to lead Sustainalytics’ operations in France, given his knowledge of the French market, deep understanding of ESG and his proven ability to work with clients to add value to their responsible investing processes and initiatives.”