Senior-led sustainability & ESG advisory grounded in real-world delivery.

RZB combines deep technical expertise with practical, implementation-focused delivery that stands up to audit, investor and regulatory scrutiny.

RZB Advisory is a boutique sustainability and climate change advisory practice led by Richard Betts, a former partner at EY and ERM. The firm supports organisations across the UK, EU and internationally on CSRD/ESRS implementation, IFRS S1–S2 alignment, climate transition and risk, nature strategy, ESG assurance and broader sustainability transformation.

RZB works with organisations across multiple sectors, including built environment and infrastructure, energy, financial services, manufacturing and consumer sectors, helping leadership teams translate evolving sustainability and climate requirements into practical strategy, governance and reporting.

About Richard Betts, RZB Advisory Founder

Richard Betts is the Founder of RZB Advisory and a senior sustainability and ESG advisor with over two decades of experience supporting organisations across the UK, EU, Türkiye, MENA and the Americas.

He works with boards, executive teams and investors on sustainability strategy, climate transition and risk, regulatory and assurance readiness, nature strategy and broader ESG transformation, helping organisations translate evolving sustainability and climate requirements into practical governance, strategy and reporting.

Richard’s sector experience spans built environment and infrastructure, energy and industrials, financial services, and consumer-facing sectors including FMCG, retail and telecommunications.

Prior to founding RZB Advisory, Richard held senior leadership roles in global advisory firms including 3 of the Big 4 and ERM, where he worked with corporates, investors and policymakers on the development and implementation of sustainability and climate frameworks.

His work frequently supports organisations navigating complex regulatory developments such as CSRD/ESRS, IFRS S1–S2 and emerging climate and nature disclosure frameworks, with a particular focus on helping leadership teams translate climate and sustainability risks into informed executive decision-making.

About RZB Advisory

Why RZB Advisory

• Senior-led delivery - direct Partner-level involvement on every engagement.

• Independent judgement - focused on what works in practice.

• Deep regulatory and market insight - across CSRD, ISSB, climate risk and transition.

• Pragmatic implementation - aligned to how organisations actually make decisions.

How we work

Our work is grounded in practical experience, independent thinking and a clear focus on decision-making at board and executive level.

We work selectively, prioritising depth over volume, and tailor our support to the context, maturity and objectives of each organisation.

Our services

CSRD / ESRS Readiness

Double materiality, gap analysis and disclosure design aligned to regulatory expectations and organisational governance.

We often work with companies with tight regulatory deadlines.

ESG Reporting & Assurance Readiness

ISAE 3000/3410-aligned controls, data quality and governance to support credible reporting and assurance readiness.

Climate Strategy & Net Zero

Science-based targets, decarbonisation pathways and credible transition plans linked to business strategy.

Often developed along finance & strategy teams to support investment decision-making.

ISSB/ IFRS S1-S2 Design & Implementation

Data architecture, KPIs, scenario analysis and governance design to support high-quality, decision-useful sustainability disclosures.

Climate Risk (TCFD)

Physical and transition risk assessment, scenario analysis and quantification to inform strategy, capital allocation and disclosure - typically integrated into broader risk and governance processes.

Nature & Biodiversity (TNFD)

Risk and dependency assessment, LEAP-aligned analysis and nature strategy development.

We support organisations across the full sustainability and ESG lifecycle - from regulatory readiness and disclosure, through strategy development, risk assessment and transformation. Engagements are tailored to client needs and may span individual focus areas or integrated programmes across climate, nature, reporting and governance.

Sectors we support

• Financial Services

• FMCG & Retail

• Telecom & Technology

• Energy & Utilities

• Real Estate & Infrastructure

• Industrial & Manufacturing

We work across a range of sectors where sustainability, regulation and transformation are strategic priorities, including the following:

Insights & Perspectives

RZB Perspectives (2025–26)

Short, practitioner-focused perspectives drawing on board-level advisory experience across sustainability, climate, regulation and long-term value creation.

Each note reflects issues currently facing senior decision-makers and investors.

Why Climate Transition Planning is a Strategic Imperative

ISSB in Practice: What Organisations need to get right as the IFRS Sustainability Standards go global.

Why nature is moving up the business agenda

From Compliance to Control:

What CSRD and ESRS mean in practice (post Omnibus)

Beyond ISSB - Why the UK's Sustainability Reporting Standards Matter in 2026.

Insights & Perspectives

Co-author of ERM CFO briefing on sustainability disclosure

Podcast Interview

Climate, Strategy & Decarbonization

The publications and articles referenced below were authored or co-authored by Richard Betts in previous professional roles. They are shared here to illustrate experience and perspectives and do not represent work delivered by RZB Advisory.

Contributor to a global briefing on the implications of IFRS S1/S2 for corporate reporting and governance.

Contributor to an analysis of CBAM requirements & how companies can respond strategically.

Co-author of a global publication on oceans, climate mitigation and nature resilience.

Systemic Risks and Climate ( Turkish)

The Value of Nature: intrinsic & economic (Spanish).

Values in practice

Sustainability is not just a professional focus for RZB Advisory - it reflects long-standing personal commitments. Alongside advisory work, Richard has supported environmental and community causes through fundraising, volunteering and long-term engagement with conservation organisations.

Rainforest conservation

Through a series of personal fundraising runs, Richard has supported Rainforest Trust UK in protecting threatened tropical rainforest over many years. Collectively, these efforts have contributed to the permanent protection of 13,755 acres (5,566 hectares) of tropical rainforest for wildlife, climate mitigation, and indigenous communities.

Rainforest Trust places threatened habitats under permanent legal protection, ensuring long-term conservation impact.

Personal action

Richard has also started and supported a wide range of initiatives over many years to try and increase his own personal impact.

Virtual run across the UK (Covid lockdown)

As one example, during the Covid lockdown, Richard completed a sponsored virtual run across the UK (1,083 miles/ 1,743 km) from their basement to raise funds and awareness for nature conservation.

Community & Stewardship

Richard has also supported local conservation and community initiatives, including involvement with local wildlife and nature organisations over many years. Since 2023, Richard has been a trustee at his local Wildlife Trust, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, one of the UK's largest wildlife charities, where he contributes to oversight of climate, biodiversity and long-term sustainability strategy, alongside financial and organisational governance.

https://www.lancswt.org.uk/about-us/trustees

These engagements reflect the belief that sustainability impact begins locally, alongside global action.

Working with others

RZB Advisory works alongside other advisors, consultancies and organisations where complementary expertise and perspective can add value for clients.

In practice, this includes working with other stakeholders such as larger consulting firms, specialist boutiques, legal and financial advisors, academics and independent experts across sustainability, climate, regulation and risk.

This model allows RZB to contribute targeted senior input - for example on ESG governance, climate transition planning and scenario design, and ESG regulatory readiness and reporting - while integrating seamlessly with broader delivery teams.

We are open to selective conversations where there is clear alignment in values, quality and approach.