The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, in a statement, disclosed that it has appointed the new managing director of its sustainable infrastructure group, the most critical business line, comprising energy, transport and municipal infrastructure sectors. He will assume the role from January 1, 2025, since Nandita Parshad retires at the end of 2024 after an illustrious career as head of SIG.
Track record in driving the Green Agenda
Boyd-Carpenter has experience and a track record in pushing sustainable development and green investment. He has been Managing Director of Climate Strategy & Delivery at the EBRD since 2021, driving the initiatives that make the Bank’s activities align with the spirit of the Paris Agreement and meet its goal of committing 50% of annual investments to green projects.He has contributed much to the EBRD’s important position as a world leader in climate finance and towards promoting sustainable development in all regions of EBRD operations.
The head of the Bank’s Transition and Regions Department Jürgen Rigterink welcomed the appointment, commenting: “Boyd-Carpenter’s exceptional ability to build and lead SIG into the next phase of growth in its activities. “Harry Boyd-Carpenter’s strategic vision, leadership experience, and passion for sustainability will help SIG continue to deliver impactful solutions for our clients and the Bank,” Rigterink said.
Significance of SIG Strategically
The Sustainable Infrastructure Group constitutes about one-third of EBRD’s total business, hence it is the keystone of the Bank’s activities. It is expected to spearhead investments across critical sectors such as municipal infrastructure, energy, and transport, which are in the center of EBRD’s mission of driving sustainable and inclusive economic development.
At this time, it is especially important for SIG, with global attention focused on mitigating climate change and transitioning to a green economy, for which the work of SIG is even more aligned with the Bank’s general goals: supporting resilience, innovation, and environmental sustainability in its countries of operation.
Career Highlights
Boyd-Carpenter joined the EBRD in 2005 and led several teams; thus, his experience spans many years in infrastructure development and corporate strategy. Previously, he headed the Power and Energy Utilities team for financing and structuring projects aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. His work with the Corporate Strategy department and Office of the General Counsel further attest to his flexibility and thorough understanding of Bank operations.
Boyd-Carpenter is also an assistant to Allen & Overy, was involved in activities related to post-conflict reconstruction for the European Agency for Reconstruction in Kosovo prior to his engagement with EBRD.
With his legal background and strategic acumen, Boyd-Carpenter turns out to be one of the most trusted leaders in the Bank.
Vision on Sustainable Infrastructure
The appointment of Boyd-Carpenter was testimony to the commitment of the EBRD towards sustainable infrastructure as the crux of its operations. Incorporating climate-focused strategies with infrastructural development, the bank seeks to provide long-term value for its countries of operation even as it grapples to address pressing environmental challenges.
One of Boyd-Carpenter’s key priorities is that SIG continues to make the meaningful contribution to the EBRD green investment target. By leveraging innovative models of financing and by fostered partnerships with public sector and private sector stakeholders, under his leadership, the SIG will focus on resilience, sustainability, and economic growth in its projects.
Tributes to Nandita Parshad
Boyd-Carpenter succeeds Nandita Parshad, who has led SIG with distinction by overseeing transformative projects across the sectors of energy, transport, and municipal.Parshad’s leadership has been transformative in turning SIG into a driving force of sustainable development. Closing this remarkable chapter, Boyd-Carpenter’s appointment betrays the EBRD’s intent to take what Parshad initiated further but in charting new courses through growth and innovation.
climate-focused development
In such an intensifying global drive against climate change, Boyd-Carpenter’s role will become key to advancing the EBRD’s agenda for climate. The Bank is set on making all its activities fully aligned with the Paris Agreement and ensuring that the investment into green sectors takes at least 50% each year.
SIG, under Boyd-Carpenter, will play a key role in addressing the dual challenges of climate change and economic development if it prioritizes projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing energy efficiency while promoting sustainable transport and urban development.
To the Future
In Boyd-Carpenter, the Board of Directors will have an executive with broad experience, strategic vision, and proven leadership credentials to take the helm at SIG at this critical time. His appointment will reinforce the EBRD as a leader in sustainable infrastructure development and climate finance.
With SIG emerging as a core part of the activity of the Bank, Boyd-Carpenter will now take up an important position in shaping the future roadmap of the EBRD. As the sustainable infrastructure investments come along with the overall strategy of the Bank, SIG leads meaningful change across its regions of operation toward being resilient and sustainable.
With Boyd-Carpenter soon to assume the new role, EBRD and its stakeholders look forward to a new era of innovation, of collaboration, and above all, of impact in sustainable infrastructure development.