Accounting major BDO has appointed Jono Szoke as new director for its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) due diligence practice.
Szoke, an expert with more than two decades of experience in the ESG sector, will spearhead the team within BDO’s deal advisory stream.
In the new role, Szoke will be responsible for leading the ESG due diligence team, offering critical support on transactions and public market listings.
Szoke earlier provided ESG due diligence advice at a Big 4 firm. His background also includes roles in sustainability consulting and managing health, safety, and environmental control on clean energy projects throughout Africa.
BDO transaction services head Derek Neil said: “We are seeing a significant increase in demand for ESG due diligence. What was once a nice to have to is fast becoming a fundamental requirement for investors considering transactions, and companies seeking to list.
“ESG can help enhance deal value, reduce risk, and attract responsible investors within the context of a much more demanding regulatory environment.
“ESG due diligence requires a distinct skillset and knowledge base, covering environmental science, social responsibility and governance frameworks. Jono brings with him unrivalled experience in all these areas, and I’m delighted to welcome him to the team.”
In February 2025, BDO partnered with NAVEX to enhance governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) services.
Utilising NAVEX’s platform, NAVEX One, alongside BDO’s client services, the collaboration aims to streamline compliance reporting and risk mitigation, catering to the intricate GRC needs of both public and private sector businesses.
The alliance between BDO and NAVEX is designed to provide “effective and efficient” solutions, addressing the growing demand for compliance with local and international regulations.
