There were a record number of job vacancies in the UK this year centred around environment, social and governance (ESG) – with more anticipated in 2022 according to global recruiter Robert Walters.

There have been more than 35,000 new jobs created this year around ESG – with the number of people moving into these roles increasing by s7 per cent to now represent upwards of 400,000 professionals in the UK.

The heightened focus on ESG comes as the UK presses ahead with its world-leading commitment to reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions to net-zero by 2050, in addition to mounting pressure on listed companies to be more transparent around pay and representation at board level.

Added to this the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) recently announced their work with Government to improve transparency and data discrepancy, in a bid to put UK financial services and regulation at the forefront of ESG internationally.

All of this is leading to ESG being treated with increasing importance by business leaders, where currently half of the country’s leading firms link executive pay to ESG measures.

Roles relating to corporate social responsibility (CSR) increased by 54 per cent when compared to 2019 pre-pandemic, and by 121 per cent when compared to 2020 with May 2021 being the second-busiest month on record.

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