The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) has selected Kerstin Lopatta as the next chair of its sustainability reporting board (SRB).
Her three-year term will begin on 1 May 2026.
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The appointment was endorsed by the EFRAG General Assembly at its meeting this week, following a formal nomination by the European Commission in early December.
The nomination was made through a Commission Decision after consultation with the European Parliament and the Council.
For the past four years, Lopatta has held the role of vice-chair of the EFRAG SRB.
EFRAG Administrative Board president Benoit Jaspar said: “I am delighted to welcome Kerstin as [the] new EFRAG SRB chair.
“She has demonstrated strong expertise and strategic vision during her four years as vice-chair of the EFRAG SRB and is fully equipped to take on the role of EFRAG SRB chair.
“Her appointment is timely as the European Commission expects to adopt the delegated act on simplified ESRS [European Sustainability Reporting Standards] and the delegated act on the voluntary standard by the end of June.”
With a doctorate from Goethe University Frankfurt, Lopatta serves as a professor of financial accounting, auditing and sustainability at the University of Hamburg and an adjunct professor at the University of Luxembourg’s Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance.
She has worked across corporate reporting in several capacities, including as an auditor, consultant and academic.
EFRAG said her roles on boards, audit committees and related bodies have helped her develop “strong insight” into business practices and the challenges organisations face.
Lopatta said: “I am honoured to take on the role of EFRAG SRB chair at such a pivotal moment for sustainability reporting in Europe.
“My priority will be to ensure that the ESRS deliver meaningful, decision-useful information while supporting companies in their implementation journey.
“I look forward to working with the board, the European Commission and all our stakeholders to further strengthen EFRAG’s role as the authoritative voice on sustainability reporting in Europe and beyond.”
In December last year, EFRAG launched an interactive online platform, ESRS Knowledge Hub, for sustainability reporting.
