Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is bolstering its sustainability mission with the appointment of Mirjam Groten as its chief business development officer.
Groten, who will start her new position on 1 September, will be responsible for supporting organisations in disclosing environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and preparing sustainability reports.
This includes the membership service, GRI Community, and a suite of programs including reporter training and leadership groups.
Previously business development director of Fairtrade Australia & New Zealand, Groten brings a wealth of experience from commercially focused management roles in both the not-for-profit and private sector.
Groten’s postion at Fairtrade Australia & New Zealand’s saw her develop and lead its commercial strategy, manage global accounts, strengthen Fairtrade’s position in Australasia and bring innovative programs and products to market.
Prior to this, she worked in business development at the Max Havelaar Foundation, and in sales and marketing with the Grolsch brewery.
Groten’s appointment follows the recruitment of Marco van der Ree as chief development officer in July.
Amsterdam-based GRI, which helps businesses and governments worldwide understand and communicate their impact on critical sustainability issues, said with disclosures of ESG information becoming increasingly important for businesses, Groten’s hiring reflects its commitment to improving and strengthening its support to companies.
“Groten will strengthen GRI’s ability to engage with organisations and help them improve their sustainability disclosures,” GRI chief executive Tim Mohin said. “[This] addition further adds to the skillset of our executive team, following the recent addition of Marco van der Ree to oversee fundraising.”
“This is a very exciting time to be joining GRI as sustainability disclosure is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ for businesses, it has become an imperative and makes sense from every aspect,” Groten said.
“I’m looking forward to helping strengthen GRI’s work as the global lead on efficient and effective ESG reporting, which support businesses through greater transparency and accountability, contributing to sustainable development,” Groten added.
