Rennie bolsters ESG practice with addition of Conversio
Rennie has closed its first deal since its inception two years ago, following the addition of Brisbane-based Conversio to its team.
Launched mid-2021 with the ambition to become one of Australia’s leading consultancy firms providing net zero and sustainability services, Rennie has grown organically to a 30+ team operating from offices in Brisbane, Perth, and Melbourne.
Rennie managing director Simone Rennie said that the firm’s inaugural deal is a “key plank” of its 2023 and 2024 strategy, as the firm eyes to expand its service offerings beyond energy and infrastructure to meet booming demand for net zero related services in the wake of Australia’s accelerating decarbonisation agenda.
The addition of Conversio sees Rennie add specialist expertise in greenhouse gas emissions and disclosure. Established in 2017 by Alexander Stathakis, Conversio has built a track record in helping clients with advice and technical direction on GHG measurement, reporting, and verification. The firm also supports clients with strategies for carbon offset/inset, science-based target setting, and the delivery of emission reduction initiatives.
Conversio will become part of Rennie’s ESG practice (one of the firm’s 5 lines of business), with Stathakis becoming an associate director and a member of the senior leadership team.
“Our vision is to become a leading advisory firm by 2026 in the Australian market across ESG and net-zero strategy, climate risk and resilience, and GHG measurement and reporting. Conversio’s client base and capability will bolster our capabilities,” said Rennie’s ESG practice leader Arvind Sharma, who joined in October last year from global sustainability consultancy ERM.
Sharma further welcomed the complementary nature of the joining of forces. “We advise clients in the energy, mining, and gas sectors, as well as state governments around the country. Conversio’s brand presence in the airports, hotels, and transport sectors enable us to expand beyond existing verticals and offer a fuller suite of advisory services into all the sectors we serve.”
Stathakis said he was looking forward to joining Rennie and exploring the reach and breadth of the firm’s offices and capability across the country. “I am very excited to join Rennie. Conversio has been committed to providing high-quality advice to clients for more than seven years in a tactile and authentic way, which aligns with Rennie’s collaborative approach and way of working. Our culture and values align closely, making this an exciting move.”
