Baker Tilly ESG Team

Gido Frühling (Environmental, Social & Governance partner)

The driving force behind ESG Advisory & Assurance, with a focus on strategic advice to clients in the area of their sustainability policy and sustainability reporting. Responsible for managing the ESG Advisory Team, focussing on ESG products and services, and the coordination of the ESG assurance and advisory services. Followed the executive program on Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Reporting and Assurance at the University of Groningen Business School.

“Now is the time to take action for our future. I see it as my social responsibility to contribute to a sustainable climate, in my role as an accountant and finance professional, by helping our clients prepare for the future. This future-readiness is only possible with a sustainable approach, taking into account people, the environment and good governance.”

Personal involvement

Gido also volunteers at the following local initiatives:

• Treasurer, Hockeyclub Zwolle
• Treasurer, Rotaryclub Zwolle
• Treasurer, De Maatschappij voor Nijverheid en Handel
• Treasurer, Sassendonkse Heerenzitting
• Judge, Entrepreneur and Newcomer of the Year Award, Zwolle area

Matthias Havenaar (Manager Corporate Finance & Member ESG steering group EMEA)

As a member of the steering group, Matthias works on product development within Baker Tilly. In the ESG practice he advises organisations on their ESG strategy, and in the Corporate Finance practice he advises organisations that are carrying out an ESG due diligence. Furthermore, as a Member of the ESG steering group EMEA, he facilitates cooperation within the international Baker Tilly network in the field of ESG.

“How do we as a society deal with climate change, inequality, CO2 reduction, zero waste or a circular economy? For our generation, these questions have become extremely pressing. The choices that we make today, must safeguard habitability for future generations. The success of an organisation in this day and age is therefore, in my view, no longer solely determined by financial considerations, but also by its positive impact on society and the environment. I am keen to advise our clients on how they can add value in a sustainable way.”

Personal involvement

“In my spare time, I enjoy technical diving. Diving offers a strong reminder of the impact of humans on the environment and biodiversity. You can see this in the state of the reefs, the amount of algae, the diversity of marine life, and the amount of plastic in the water. In the last 10 years, I have seen a great change in this regard, which worries me greatly. This is why I have chosen to focus on ESG from within Baker Tilly.
As a diver, I am also involved with various initiatives to clean plastic waste and fishing nets from the bottom of the North Sea. It is extremely satisfying to use my passion for diving in a positive way.”