Hong Kong boutique law firm Ben McQuhae & Co has strengthened its environmental, social and governance (ESG) advisory practice with the appointment of Paul Watchman.
Watchman, who is also an honorary professor of the School of Law of the University of Glasgow, will be the global head of climate change and ESG transition, based in London.
“Climate change and ESG transition will continue to profoundly impact every business in every economy, and we want to support and accelerate change,” said founding partner Ben McQuhae.
“I have no doubt this will be a deeply rewarding journey for all of us and I look forward to seeing what we can build together.”
Watchman is a recognised leading figure in all areas of ESG and, through a long association with the UN, he closely scrutinises law firms and their developing ESG practices.
He has advised a wide array of clients internationally and has been influential in the development of policy, business and financial practice, legal norms and voluntary codes and standards.
He led the Freshfields team and was the principal author and project head of the UN report on fiduciary duties, known as The Freshfields Report, which was published in 2005 to provide legal foundation for ESG investment.
Watchman’s appointment represents Ben McQuhae & Co’s first expansion to build a multidisciplinary strategic advisory firm to support more clients in more key markets.
Established in 2021, Ben McQuhae & Co focuses on supporting clients to build sustainable finance and pledges to be a net-zero carbon law firm.
