FSC International Appoints Marc Jessel as Managing Director/Chief Engagement Officer

FSC International is pleased to announce the appointment of Marc Jessel as its new Managing Director/Chief Engagement Officer (CENGO), effective on 1 September 2025. In this role, Marc will lead FSC’s externally facing engagement functions, including government relations, advocacy, and communications. He will also oversee engagement with FSC’s fundraising arm, FSC Investment and Partnerships, and FSC’s Indigenous Foundation.   

Marc brings a clear vision for FSC’s next chapter: “For FSC to achieve its impact beyond certification, we need stronger and more productive partnerships with governments, economic operators, and civil society. My aim is to multiply our impact and amplify our voice by mobilizing the world’s forest influencers.” 

A seasoned leader across the public, private and NGO sectors, Marc has lived and worked in 12 countries. Since joining FSC in 2021, he has led the System Integrity Unit. In this role he led the development and application of FSC's Policy for Association and Remedy Frameworks, managed FSC's relationship with certifying bodies, and drove innovation in its integrity toolkit, notably for enhancing supply chain integrity. 

Prior to this, he held a global role at a major certifying body, developing sustainability solutions for governments. Previously he spent a decade as Country Director for the British Council, the UK’s cultural relations agency.  

He holds a degree in languages and politics, as well as a master’s in social policy and planning in developing countries from the London School of Economics. In addition to his native English and French, Marc speaks Russian, Bahasa Indonesia, and Greek, understands Spanish and describes his German as “improving.” 

FSC Director General Subhra Bhattacharjee welcomed the appointment, stating: “Marc’s deep understanding of FSC’s mission and his ability to unite diverse stakeholders make him the ideal leader to drive our engagement strategy forward.” 

As Chief Engagement Officer, Marc’s immediate priority will be to work closely with the international Board of Directors, global membership, and colleagues across FSC to assess and enhance the organization’s outward-facing functions. As part of FSC’s leadership team, his role will be to identify the most effective ways FSC can add real value — not only to FSC as an organization but also to the local and Indigenous communities FSC works with globally.