Equator Principles Technical Advisor | Executive Search Case Study

Client Background

The Equator Principles are the world’s leading environmental and social risk management framework for project finance, adopted by 128 financial institutions across 38 countries. Over 1,400 transactions in 2023 alone were structured under the EPs, demonstrating both the reach and real-world relevance of this practitioner-led initiative. As a membership-driven industry body, EP sets the global benchmark for how banks assess and manage environmental and social risks in major infrastructure, mining and energy projects worldwide.

The Brief

EP sought a Technical Advisor to strengthen global adoption and practical implementation of the Equator Principles. This pivotal role, reporting to the CEO, required a senior practitioner capable of providing expert technical oversight across working groups, developing implementation guidance, and supporting capacity building across the network of 140+ global banks. The position demanded someone who could draft technical guidance, respond to complex queries from financial institutions, and help deliver training and outreach activities across diverse markets.

The Challenges

Complex Stakeholder Dynamics: Aligning 140+ global financial institutions presented a massive coordination challenge. Each organisation has distinct priorities, risk appetites, and operational frameworks, spanning from smaller Asian banks to some of the world’s largest US and European institutions. Managing cultural nuances and varying team structures across multiple time zones required exceptional stakeholder management skills.

Technical Expertise Requirements: The role demanded deep functional expertise in environmental and social risk management to advise heads of ESG risk at the world’s largest banks. The successful candidate needed extensive practitioner-level experience with both Equator Principles and IFC Performance Standards, plus the ability to translate complex stakeholder feedback into clear, actionable technical guidance.

Commercial Constraints: As an industry body operating on membership fees, EP faced significant budget limitations whilst competing against major global banks and financial institutions for similar senior talent. The role was structured as a fixed-term contract on a part-time basis, requiring candidates to potentially accept reduced compensation and contract uncertainty for the opportunity to drive global impact.

Our Solution

Given the unique challenges, Rivit Search proposed a comprehensive retained search solution. This approach enabled us to conduct a robust global search, systematically map the candidate market, and engage every relevant professional through targeted headhunting. The retained model provided EP with complete market intelligence and confidence in their final decision.

Our positioning was strengthened by existing relationships: the current CEO had been placed by Bibin, whilst two other directors independently recommended Rivit Search to lead this critical mandate. This trust, combined with our demonstrated industry knowledge during the pitch process, secured EP’s confidence in our ability to navigate the complex requirements.

We also collaborated with EP to refine the job specification based on our extensive market knowledge, ensuring strong engagement and response from target candidates whilst accurately positioning the role’s impact and flexibility.

The Results

Key Metrics:

• 192 profiles screened globally
• 13 candidates longlisted
• 3 candidates shortlisted for final interviews
• 4 weeks to complete shortlisting process
• 2 rounds of client interviews, streamlined through our in-depth competency assessments
• Candidate joined significantly ahead of target date

Market Intelligence: Our comprehensive search process screened 192 profiles globally and collected extensive market data and intelligence which further helped refine the search parameters and positioning.

Outcome: We successfully identified and placed an exceptional candidate with over 14 years of deep Equator Principles experience, including previous service on the EP Steering Committee and hands-on management of hundreds of EP transactions across multiple sectors. The candidate joined ahead of schedule and is performing exceptionally well in the role, benefiting from both the significant career impact and flexible working arrangements. EP achieved an efficient recruitment process that enabled them to hire someone exceptionally strong sooner than anticipated.

Client Testimonial

Max Griffin, CEO, Equator Principles: “I have worked with Bibin over several years and have really appreciated his depth of understanding of the sustainability market, excellent connections and polite and friendly manner. It’s a pleasure working with him and I highly recommend his search and placement skills.”

Courtenay Smith, Head of Secretariat, Equator Principles: “Fantastic result from our recent recruitment process. We were impressed throughout with Bibin’s in-depth knowledge and extensive network, that resulted in a very high calibre field of global candidates. We also really appreciated the frequency and professionalism of his contact with us and prospective candidates, which helped to streamline what can be a stressful and lengthy process.”

Warrick Lee, Technical Advisor, Equator Principles: “Dealing with Bibin has literally been life-changing – not just because he found me the perfect job, but because through every step of the recruitment process, he was there by my side giving me both encouragement and honest feedback. And not just any feedback, feedback that equipped me to own my career again!”