BSR names Diederik Timmer as next president and CEO

BSR said July 6, 2026, that Diederik Timmer will become president and CEO on Sept. 1, succeeding Aron Cramer after a board-led search. The transition comes as the sustainable business network seeks a leader with deep experience in sustainability, technology and member-focused organizations.

Why it matters: - BSR is changing leadership after 22 years with Aron Cramer at the helm, a shift that could shape how the sustainable business network serves more than 250 member companies. - The selection points to BSR’s priorities: sustainability expertise, global market experience, and comfort with data and new technologies.

What happened: - BSR named Diederik Timmer as its next president and CEO. - Timmer will start on Sept. 1 and will be based in New York. - Aron Cramer will step down after 31 years at BSR and 22 years leading the organization. - Cramer will stay on as a strategic adviser beginning Sept. 1. - The board said the transition followed a carefully planned search.

The details: - Timmer brings 20 years of experience in sustainable business. - His prior roles include president at Glass Lewis & Co., EVP at Morningstar Sustainalytics, chair of US SIF and board member at Knology. - He led the commercial side at Morningstar Sustainalytics for 17 years. - During that period, Morningstar Sustainalytics expanded rapidly and grew across geographies. - Timmer helped build Sustainalytics’ corporate solutions business. - He also built corporate solutions and climate offerings at Sustainalytics. - More recently, he launched climate intelligence at Glass Lewis using human-centric AI to support analyst evaluations of corporate transition strategies and execution. - Timmer is originally from the Netherlands and has lived and worked in the US for the past 12 years. - His experience includes leading the global buildout of Sustainalytics. - BSR has more than 250 member companies and operates across the US, Europe and Asia. - BSR provides global insights, strategic advisory services and collaborations to members in Asia, Europe and North America.

Between the lines: - The board looked for a leader who could run a member organization, work closely with clients and members, and bring an innovator’s track record. - The search also emphasized experience across global markets and a willingness to use data and new technologies. - Timmer’s background suggests BSR wants to pair sustainability strategy with a stronger technology lens. - Cramer’s departure closes a long era in which BSR grew into a larger and more global organization and deepened its role as a trusted advisor in sustainable business.

What's next: - Timmer will take over on Sept. 1. - BSR said it will keep serving members, leading collaborations and providing insight and advice as market conditions continue to change. - Cramer will support the handoff as strategic adviser. - BSR’s leadership transition will now move from selection to execution as Timmer begins working with members, funders and partners.

The bottom line: - BSR is betting that a sustainability executive with deep commercial, global and technology experience can guide the organization through a period of major change.