Takeaways

• Deloitte has appointed Smruti Naik-Jones as Chief Sustainability Officer for its newly formed EMEA business, strengthening its regional sustainability leadership.
• The move comes as Deloitte EMEA launches a unified structure across 80+ countries, with major investment planned in technology, AI, and sustainability transformation.
• The appointment aligns with Deloitte’s broader net-zero emissions target for FY2040 and intensifies focus on Scope 1, Scope 2 emissions, and Scope 3 emissions reduction across the region.

Deloitte has named Smruti Naik-Jones as its new Chief Sustainability Officer for its Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) business, marking a key step in the firm’s effort to embed sustainability into its newly unified regional structure.

The appointment follows the official launch of Deloitte EMEA on 1 June 2026, a major organizational shift that brings together 16 participating firms operating across more than 80 countries. The new structure includes around 6,000 partners and 132,000 professionals, with reported revenues of €20 billion ($23.3 billion).

Naik-Jones has been with Deloitte for 20 years and previously served as the firm’s first Chief Sustainability Officer for Deloitte UK and North and South Europe. In that role, she led the “WorldClimate” strategy, which focuses on driving Deloitte’s internal sustainability agenda and supporting its transition toward net zero.

In her new position, she will oversee Deloitte’s sustainability strategy across the EMEA region. Her mandate includes guiding the firm’s climate transition efforts across markets that differ widely in policy frameworks, capital access, and transition risks.

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“We are at a pivotal moment in an important region. My priority for Deloitte EMEA is to play a leading role in helping drive this transition to a sustainable future,” Naik-Jones said.

New Regional Model to Support Sustainability and Growth

The creation of Deloitte EMEA is designed to improve cross-border collaboration and deliver services more efficiently at scale. While each participating firm will continue to operate within its own market, the new structure aims to strengthen shared priorities through coordinated investment in innovation, technology platforms, and talent development.

Deloitte plans to invest more than €1.5 billion ($1.7 billion) over the next four years. Key focus areas include generative AI, sovereign cloud infrastructure, and sector-specific solutions that support both business transformation and sustainability goals.

This restructuring is particularly significant for sustainability services, where global clients are increasingly seeking integrated advice on regulation, climate strategy, and digital transformation.

Net Zero Strategy and Emissions Commitments

Naik-Jones’ leadership will also play a central role in advancing Deloitte’s climate commitments. The firm has pledged to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by FY2040.

This includes a 90% reduction in combined Scope 1 emissions, Scope 2 emissions, and Scope 3 emissions from an FY2019 baseline. Deloitte also aims to reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 70% by FY2030.

In addition, the firm targets a 55% reduction in business travel emissions per full-time equivalent employee, addressing a key source of Scope 3 emissions in professional services.

With sustainability now embedded within a larger EMEA structure, Deloitte aims to improve consistency in reporting, governance, and execution across markets.

Strategic Importance for Clients and Investors

The launch of Deloitte EMEA reflects a wider shift in the consulting industry, where firms are reorganizing to better serve clients facing interconnected challenges in sustainability, technology, and regulation.

For corporate boards and investors, the integration of sustainability with digital and financial transformation is becoming increasingly important. Areas such as carbon accounting, climate risk disclosure, and supply chain transparency now require advanced technological capabilities and cross-border coordination.

Deloitte Global CEO Joe Ucuzoglu said the new model strengthens the firm’s ability to serve multinational clients with speed and consistency across regions.

Also Read: Egis Appoints Sustainability Chiefs in Middle East

As the EMEA business scales up, the effectiveness of its sustainability leadership will be measured by how well it translates strategy into measurable progress on emissions reduction and climate transformation across a complex and diverse region.

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Source: ESG NEWS