Akhil Anilkumar

Climate Strategy & Decarbonization

• Spearheaded IDFC FIRST Bank’s climate roadmap and Net Zero strategy, including full-scope GHG baselining (Scope 1, 2, and 3) and early adoption of TCFD-aligned risk frameworks.
• Pioneered India’s first financed emissions (Scope 3) baseline for retail banking, anchoring the Bank’s climate ambition to measurable impact.
• Developed a time-bound plan for Net Zero (Scope 1 & 2), and delivered public climate goals ahead of schedule through internal alignment and strategic execution.
• Helped bring a third of the Bank's 4 million+ sq. ft. premises under green building certification (LEED, IGBC) and activated green power procurement, supporting decarbonization of operations across key premises.'

Sustainable Finance & Business Integration

• Launched the Bank’s Sustainable Finance franchise, including Green Deposits (scaled to US$30M+ in under a year), Solar Lending, and catalytic partnerships.
• Embedded ESG into core banking functions, including HR, procurement, and operations, mainstreaming sustainability across the enterprise.
• Led external assurance for ESG-linked lending and disclosures, ensuring alignment with global standards and enhanced investor confidence.

Governance, Reporting & Systems Leadership

• Built and leading the Bank’s ESG function from the ground, reporting to CXOs and the Board, and shaping policy, risk, compliance, and strategy.
• Set up the ESG Controller function and systems, led the Bank’s transition to globally aligned reporting (GRI, SASB, BRSR), and now driving alignment with IFRS Sustainability.
• Elevated the Bank’s ESG performance across global benchmarks (S&P DJSI, MSCI, CRISIL, Sustainalytics), establishing it as a top-rated ESG performer within two years.

Policy & External Engagement

• Represented the Bank at key global platforms, including the UN Global Compact and ASSOCHAM, amplifying its sustainability leadership.
• Engaged actively with regulators and ministries, multilateral frameworks (e.g., PCAF), and the media to shape India’s broader ESG narrative.
• Received the Golden Peacock Award for ESG on behalf of the Bank, reinforcing its leadership on international stages.

Culture Building & Change Management

• Founded FIRST ENSURE, the Bank’s internal ESG identity, to embed sustainability into workplace culture through campaigns, communications, and monthly initiatives.
• Introduced sustainable procurement and supplier assessments, driving value-chain resilience and just transition principles.

Strategic Leadership & Organisational Stewardship

• Member of the AICL Leadership Team (ALT), contributing to the firm’s overall strategic direction, operations, and organizational growth.
• Headed the non-financial reporting vertical, overseeing ESG strategy consulting, disclosure alignment, and sustainability advisory across client portfolios.
• Served on the organisation’s POSH committee, contributing to inclusive workplace governance and policy oversight.

Project & People Leadership

• Led a team of AVPs and consultants delivering ~40% of total project volume and over 90% of ESG mandates annually, spanning 70–80 projects across research, reporting, and materiality assessments.
• Directed Account Management for high-impact, high-revenue engagements, including sustainability strategies for 3 of India’s top 5 listed companies by market capitalization.

Sectoral Impact & Technical Advisory

• Designed ESG and reporting strategies for large corporations across energy, steel, banking, and FMCG sectors, helping mainstream sustainability into legacy-heavy industries.
• Managed partnerships with key global bodies including IFRS Sustainability (formerly IIRC and VRF), and coordinated with assurance providers to elevate disclosure credibility.

Knowledge Building & Research

• Authored and guided thought leadership publications to influence sustainability discourse across industries and regulatory circles.

Strategic Communication and Content Leadership

• Led content and project delivery for 75+ Integrated, Annual, and Sustainability Reports, investor communications, and brand collaterals.
• Managed research, consulting, writing, and editorial functions aligned with ESG, financial, and regulatory priorities.
• Certified Integrated Reporting trainer (IIRC/ISSB) for India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.

Client and Project Ownership

• Primary consultant for over a dozen top-tier Indian corporates including Reliance, Hindustan Unilever, ICICI Bank, and Vedanta.
• Managed both content execution and client servicing across high-value mandates.

Sustainability and Stakeholder Engagement

• Developed ESG narratives and disclosures that reflected materiality, regulatory trends, and stakeholder priorities.
• Delivered reporting and investor content that enhanced transparency and trust.

Team Collaboration and Delivery

• Worked with a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality outcomes and advance AICL’s leadership in corporate reporting.

• Ventured as a freelance content manager for HubHopper, a leading news-stack digital platform.
• Entrusted with management of content channels such as ANI and WYON.
• Focussed on economic, social and environmental coverage.

• Served as Transaction Banking Relationship Manager at Axis Bank’s largest branch – Fort, Mumbai.
• Responsible for serving and deepening relationships with a major business portfolio comprising 200+ SME clients for their treasury and business banking requirements.