Timea works at PwC as a senior consultant in the Sustainability team, which helps clients reduce their carbon footprint, identify environmental risks during M&A transactions and plan sustainable strategies. Although green issues have always been important to her, it is only at PwC that she could start addressing them on the front line, even in interesting places outside the Czech Republic.
Have you always been close to nature?
I come from a village in central Slovakia, so spending time outdoors was normal for me. That’s why I’ve loved nature ever since I was a child. It is also one of the reasons I wanted to do something that would have a positive impact on the world around me and also relate to business. But I came across PwC a bit by chance.
Can you tell me more?
I was attracted to the company because it offered a good start to my career. Firstly, I completed a classic internship, half of which was in Consulting for the public sector and half in Capital Projects & Infrastructure. These are two of our secondary teams that have nothing to do with ESG. But then I heard that the ESG team was expanding and looking for a new full-time colleague. At that moment, I decided to give it a try.
“Communication is well established, both from junior colleagues to senior ones and vice versa.”
ESG is a broad field. Can you describe what you do?
Firstly, I work on projects for international institutions such as the European Investment Bank, which focus on sustainable financing and present their vision to local banks through us. We also help them identify areas worth investing in, which involves researching the market and determining trends such as government support or the expected development of green investment opportunities. Ultimately, however, it’s mainly about contact with the client – specifically, preparing training or internal tools and documents that will make it easier for them to implement their green strategy and identify green investments. The second area I focus on is ESG due diligence.
From an environmental and social perspective, we review factories during M&A transactions and try to identify risks that could have a negative impact on the environment and, more importantly, negative financial implications for the potential investor. These may include non-compliance with emission limits in production, the use of prohibited substances, improper handling of hazardous waste and chemicals, but also human rights violations or occupational safety violations. We often visit factories, so I have the opportunity to see things abroad.
So, do you travel a lot?
When it comes to travelling abroad, I am lucky. Right now, I’m in Kuala Lumpur (laughs), where I’ve been brought by due diligence checks on factories that are up for sale by investors. Last week I was in Manchester, and before that in Croatia and Slovakia. My team has also worked in Spain, Bulgaria and Hungary for the European Investment Bank, which is a nice part of our job.
How seriously do you think “green” issues are taken at the moment?
Strategic goals at the EU level remain “green”. The only thing that is changing is the associated administrative and bureaucratic burden on companies. This may ultimately trigger waves of greater or lesser willingness on their part to adjust long-established processes and change their investment strategy.
What is PwC’s approach in this regard?
In my opinion, it is one of the companies that not only preaches environmental friendliness, but also genuinely strives for it. Among other things, we have set decarbonisation targets for 2030. In April 2025, PwC also published a public report on sustainable business and corporate responsibility. There is simply a strong commitment to green consulting here.
“Thanks to PwC, I have a CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate.”
What else do you like about this company?
I definitely have to mention the international projects, which allow me to travel around the world. I also like the people in our team. We sometimes go for coffee before work, and in general, it’s never a problem to ask for anything we need. Communication is well established, both from junior colleagues to senior ones and vice versa. Another thing I like about PwC is that it organises lots of events where you can meet interesting people. It also offers a wide range of training and educational opportunities, some of which lead to exams or certificates. For instance, thanks to the company, I have a CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate.
Does your love of nature get reflected in your private life?
Definitely, I love outdoor activities such as hiking and via ferrata. I also like diving. Underwater life fascinates me, but unfortunately, it is also where we can see clear signs of environmental degradation, whether in the form of changes in animal migration routes or coral bleaching. In my opinion, this further highlights the need to change our approach to business towards greater sustainability.
Have a look at the offer of vacant positions at PwC.
