Global professional services firm Aon, has appointed Luise O’Gorman as global head of ESG Transaction Advisory Services, further expanding its M&A and Transaction Solutions practice.
In her new role, O’Gorman will lead the creation and development of a holistic Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) proposition tailored to M&A and other transactions designed to meet the growing demand for pre-acquisition ESG solutions and post-closing support, including advisory and transactional services for financial sponsor-owned portfolio companies.
Before joining Aon, O’Gorman was a management consultant with a career focus in climate risk, the energy transition, renewable energy and sustainability more broadly.
She has previously worked for PwC and Baringa Partners. During her time as an independent consultant, she advised central governments and private-sector companies in the UK and EU, particularly in the energy and financial services industries.
Most recently, O’Gorman advised a multinational financial services company on how to adhere to recent regulations by embedding climate risk considerations into its business and operating model.
Commenting on her appointment, O’Gorman said: “I am thrilled to join Aon to help secure investments, enhance returns and shape better deal decisions for our clients.
“I am excited to join such a diverse global team of proven professionals dedicated to staying ahead of trends and driving innovation in the M&A space in a way that not only participates in the market, but helps drive it.”
Aon’s M&A and Transaction Solutions offer services and solutions such as transactional insurance instruments such as representations and warranties or warranty and indemnity insurance and tax and litigation insurance.
They also include specialised due diligence, including people and human capital, insurance, cyber and intellectual property; working capital solutions; and digital, cyber, and intellectual property transaction advisory capabilities.
According to Edwin Charnaud, chairman, M&A and Transaction Solutions, a recent analysis by Aon has revealed that ESG considerations have become an important area of focus for companies and their stakeholders – impacting deal structures, valuations and post-deal roadmaps.
Charnaud added: “As part of the due diligence processes, buyers will increasingly scrutinise how targets address the volatility of climate risk and contribute to environmental goals, determine if they act socially responsible and identify material, financial, compliance and reputational risks. On the sell-side, dealmakers may want to highlight opportunities to leverage targets’ positive ESG credentials.”
