Meet the Team

John is the main founder of CMS back in late 2003. He has more than 25 years of working on climate change, with climate finance and in global carbon markets working both in the private sector and with international organizations. He holds a Masters in International Relations from Columbia University in New York, specializing in international environmental policy.

John has worked in the carbon markets in New York, London, and Moscow and has travelled to over 70 countries working on climate finance projects.

John was instrumental in helping broker 3 of the first 4 ever carbon credit deals from New Zealand. John has extensive experience with carbon brokerage, carbon trading and in developing emission reduction projects. Outside of work, John enjoys travel, reading, and football.

John is based in Wellington, New Zealand. He speaks English, French, Spanish and some Russian.

Simon is a commercial barrister at Clifton Chambers and former partner at the law firm Bell Gully where he led the climate change practice.

He has practised in this area for over 25 years, after initially completing an LL.M in international environmental law at the University of London followed by a stint as a lawyer in Citibank’s traded financial products division in London. Simon’s experience includes advising on design of the legal framework for the NZ ETS and subsequent legislation, on cross-border carbon trading, advising Parliamentary and State governments in Asia on carbon matters, including on the world’s first carbon transaction for avoided deforestation.

Simon worked with CMS on a number of its pioneering transactions in the domestic and international carbon markets. Simon’s recent work includes advising EECA on negotiation of funding agreements with New Zealand Steel to enable electrification of half its steel production – which will reduce New Zealand’s carbon emissions by 1% – and with Fonterra to increase its emissions reduction target to 50% by 2030.

Simon has a number of governance roles, including Independent Chair of the Electricity Retailers’ and Generators’ Association of New Zealand, Independent Chair of Latitude Health Limited and Deputy Chair of the Medical Council of New Zealand. He is also an Honorary Adviser to the Asia New Zealand Foundation, with a focus on climate cooperation and capacity building in the region.

Simon is working with CMS in a part-time capacity as Chairman.

Jai joined the CMS team in February 2024 as a broker for the Australian market. Jai studied marine biology at the University of Southampton in the UK and has had a diverse career involving recruitment, construction, and conservation.

Jai has traveled extensively and is passionate about protecting the environment. Jai enjoys surfing, chess, squash, and the NFL.

Based in Terrigal on the central coast of NSW, Australia.

Michael joined CMS in 2019. Michael has more than 30 years working first as a geologist and later in banking, finance, and then carbon markets in both Europe and in New Zealand. Michael’s previous experience has been as a banker in the metals and mining sector for a large German bank based first in Germany and later in Kyiv, Ukraine. Michael built and then successfully sold his own mining business in Ukraine.

Michael holds a BSc in Geology from the University of Auckland and an MBA from Nyenrode Business University in the Netherlands.

Outside of work, Michael enjoys long walks and cycling. Based in Europe and Auckland, New Zealand, he speaks English, Dutch, German, and Russian.

Tarryn has over 15 years of experience in the food industry and a growing focus on sustainability and carbon management.

She recently completed a Diploma in Carbon Management to deepen her expertise in carbon accounting, emissions reduction, and climate-related strategies. Tarryn is working as research analyst, working on carbon market research related to the carbon market in South Africa.

Tarryn is based in Cape Town, South Africa, and enjoys outdoor activities such as mountain biking and spending quality time with her family. Tarryn joined CMS in December 2024 and works part-time as a researcher.

John is the main founder of CMS back in late 2003. He has more than 25 years of working on climate change, with climate finance and in global carbon markets working both in the private sector and with international organizations. He holds a Masters in International Relations from Columbia University in New York, specializing in international environmental policy.

John has worked in the carbon markets in New York, London, and Moscow and has travelled to over 70 countries working on climate finance projects.

John was instrumental in helping broker 3 of the first 4 ever carbon credit deals from New Zealand. John has extensive experience with carbon brokerage, carbon trading and in developing emission reduction projects. Outside of work, John enjoys travel, reading, and football.

John is based in Wellington, New Zealand. He speaks English, French, Spanish and some Russian.

Simon is a commercial barrister at Clifton Chambers and former partner at the law firm Bell Gully where he led the climate change practice.

He has practised in this area for over 25 years, after initially completing an LL.M in international environmental law at the University of London followed by a stint as a lawyer in Citibank’s traded financial products division in London. Simon’s experience includes advising on design of the legal framework for the NZ ETS and subsequent legislation, on cross-border carbon trading, advising Parliamentary and State governments in Asia on carbon matters, including on the world’s first carbon transaction for avoided deforestation.

Simon worked with CMS on a number of its pioneering transactions in the domestic and international carbon markets. Simon’s recent work includes advising EECA on negotiation of funding agreements with New Zealand Steel to enable electrification of half its steel production – which will reduce New Zealand’s carbon emissions by 1% – and with Fonterra to increase its emissions reduction target to 50% by 2030.

Simon has a number of governance roles, including Independent Chair of the Electricity Retailers’ and Generators’ Association of New Zealand, Independent Chair of Latitude Health Limited and Deputy Chair of the Medical Council of New Zealand. He is also an Honorary Adviser to the Asia New Zealand Foundation, with a focus on climate cooperation and capacity building in the region.

Simon is working with CMS in a part-time capacity as Chairman.

Sean Rota has over 30 years experience working in government relations and in the private sector as a project manager of construction projects. In addition, he has extensive experience working in the alcohol and beverages sector.

In his spare time he enjoys working out, watching rugby, and spending time with his family. Sean is based in Auckland, New Zealand.

Michael joined CMS in 2019. Michael has more than 30 years working first as a geologist and later in banking, finance, and then carbon markets in both Europe and in New Zealand. Michael’s previous experience has been as a banker in the metals and mining sector for a large German bank based first in Germany and later in Kyiv, Ukraine. Michael built and then successfully sold his own mining business in Ukraine.

Michael holds a BSc in Geology from the University of Auckland and an MBA from Nyenrode Business University in the Netherlands.

Outside of work, Michael enjoys long walks and cycling. Based in Europe and Auckland, New Zealand, he speaks English, Dutch, German, and Russian.

Daniel is a CMS shareholder and early investor. Daniel has more than 20 years of experience working with large corporates in the area of fintech, climate tech, venture capital, start ups, web based solutions to assist with business expansion. Prior to his leadership roles in the area of fintech, Daniel was a software programmer. He has held senior roles in large tech companies in both Europe and New Zealand working in business development.

Daniel holds an MBA from INSEAS in France. He returned to live in New Zealand from France in 2011. Outside of work, Daniel enjoys running, working out, and spending time with his family.

Daniel is based in Wellington, New Zealand. He speaks English and French.

Tarryn has over 15 years of experience in the food industry and a growing focus on sustainability and carbon management.

She recently completed a Diploma in Carbon Management to deepen her expertise in carbon accounting, emissions reduction, and climate-related strategies. Tarryn is working as research analyst, working on carbon market research related to the carbon market in South Africa.

Tarryn is based in Cape Town, South Africa, and enjoys outdoor activities such as mountain biking and spending quality time with her family. Tarryn joined CMS in December 2024 and works part-time as a researcher.