Christina Tsiarta
Head of Advisory Services on Sustainability, ESG & Climate Change at Kreston ITH, Kreston Global ESG Advisory Group Chair
Stop the clock: ESG credentials still critical to mid-market success in Europe
June 30, 2025
The recent announcement by Kreston Global UK firm, Kreston Reeves, that it is launching new ESG advisory services highlights that strong ESG credentials remain a crucial and relevant service for the mid-market, despite recent deadline delays. The “Stop the Clock” announcement by the EU Commission in April 2025 has given mid-market firms more time to prepare, not a total veto to all obligations, explains Christina Tsiarta, Chair of the Kreston Global ESG Advisory Group.
“While for some organisations there’s a legal requirement to comply, for example in the UK, where the Department for Business and Trade just released the exposure draft of the UK Sustainability Reporting Standards, for others, it’s a matter of strategic importance and a differentiating factor in the marketplace.”
The regulatory and commercial drivers for environmental, social and governance (ESG) action are still critical for the mid-market to get out in front of. From new sustainability disclosure standards to investor and stakeholder pressure, businesses are being asked to show how they are building long-term value beyond financial returns.
Kreston Reeves, a UK member of the Kreston Global network, has launched a dedicated ESG Advisory and Reporting Service in response to this shift — a move that reflects a wider trend across the network.
“As the Chair of the Kreston Global ESG Advisory Group, I’m particularly excited to see a major firm in the network like Kreston Reeves introduce ESG advisory services,” says Christina Tsiarta. “It shows how critical ESG reporting and compliance have become for organisations of all sizes.”
While regulatory momentum continues to build, Christina believes compliance isn’t the only driver.
“Whatever the incentive, undoubtedly managing ESG issues provides an opportunity for organisations, especially mid-market ones, to grow sustainably and achieve long-term resilience.”
Kreston Reeves’ new ESG Advisory and Reporting Service is designed to help organisations embed ESG into strategic and financial planning. It offers support in four key areas:
- ESG strategy development and materiality assessments
- Regulatory and voluntary ESG reporting
- Carbon footprint measurement
- Climate action plan development and implementation
“Strong ESG credentials are no longer a nice-to-have — they are essential to long-term success,” says Dan Firmager, ESG Adviser at Kreston Reeves. “Yet many organisations still struggle to understand and apply ESG thinking to day-to-day business decisions. Our service is designed to bridge that gap.”
The firm has partnered with ESG software provider Neoeco to deliver data-driven insights that align with financial reporting and assurance standards.
“Our ESG Advisory and Reporting Service is designed to bridge that gap, helping clients embed ESG into the heart of their operations, reporting and governance frameworks.”
Christina adds: “This is just one example of how Kreston firms are stepping up to support clients in navigating ESG demands. As expectations grow, the ability to offer clear, finance-aligned advice on ESG will become core to the trusted adviser role.”
