BSR appoints Diederik Timmer as President and CEO, succeeding Aron Cramer. July 6, 2026 Diederik Timmer Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) has named sustainability executive Diederik Timmer as its next president and chief executive officer, marking a leadership transition for the global sustainable business network after more than two decades under longtime CEO Aron Cramer. Timmer will assume the role on Sept. 1 and will be based in New York. He succeeds Cramer, who is stepping down after 31 years with BSR, including 22 years as chief executive. Following the transition, Cramer will remain with the organization as a strategic advisor to support the leadership handoff. The appointment comes as companies navigate shifting expectations around environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities, climate strategy and emerging technologies. BSR said the transition follows a long-term succession planning process designed to position the organization for its next phase of growth while continuing to serve its network of more than 250 member companies. Timmer brings two decades of experience at the intersection of sustainability, technology and corporate strategy. He joins BSR after serving as president of Glass Lewis & Co. and previously spent 17 years at Morningstar Sustainalytics, where he led the commercial organization, oversaw international expansion and helped build the firm's corporate solutions business. During his tenure, he also led the development of sustainability and climate-related offerings for corporate clients. Most recently at Glass Lewis, he launched a climate intelligence capability using human-centered artificial intelligence to support analysis of corporate transition strategies. His leadership experience also includes serving as chair of the US Sustainable Investment Forum (US SIF) and as a board member of Knology. BSR Chair Peter Herweck said Timmer's blend of business, sustainability and technology expertise aligns with the organization's evolving priorities. "The board is very pleased to welcome Diederik Timmer as the next President and CEO of BSR," Herweck said. "Diederik brings an outstanding wealth of experience and a proven track record in business, sustainability, and technology. This long-planned transition comes at a time of substantial change in the market, where BSR is prepared to lead. The board is extremely thankful for Aron Cramer's excellent decades-long leadership of BSR in forming and leading the organization to what it is today, a thought leader and trusted partner in the field of sustainable business." The board said it sought a leader with experience managing member-focused organizations, scaling global businesses, driving innovation and applying data and emerging technologies to sustainability challenges while maintaining BSR's mission-driven culture. Originally from the Netherlands and based in New York for the past 12 years, Timmer said he sees an opportunity to help companies navigate an increasingly complex business environment where sustainability strategy and technology are becoming more closely connected. "I've followed BSR, and Aron's leadership for nearly two decades," Timmer said. "What BSR has built is unique: a network of more than 250 member companies and three decades of trusted thought leadership. Corporations are navigating meaningful change in how the world thinks about sustainability, just as smart technologies reshape how they compete, and the moment demands an innovative partner who can help with both strategy and implementation. I'm looking forward to driving that work forward together with our members, our funders, and the broader BSR network." Cramer, who joined BSR in 1995 as founding director of its Business and Human Rights Program and later opened the organization's first European office in Paris, oversaw its evolution into a global advisory and collaboration network serving multinational companies across North America, Europe and Asia. "Leading BSR has been an utter privilege," Cramer said. "The opportunity to work with so many great colleagues, our network of member companies, and so many like-minded partners in every corner of the world has been more than I could have imagined when I joined BSR more than 30 years ago. Together, we have made so much progress in that time. I know that Diederik is the right person to take the baton and lead BSR into the future." Founded as Business for Social Responsibility, BSR provides strategic advisory services, research and collaborative initiatives that help companies address sustainability, climate, human rights and other long-term business challenges. With offices in the United States, Europe and Asia, the organization supports more than 250 member companies as they adapt to evolving market expectations, regulatory changes and the growing role of technology in corporate sustainability strategies.

Philip White, the HSE's Director of Building Safety, has been appointed to lead the BSR on a permanent basis, which will include performing the duties of the Chief Inspector of Buildings.