Our People
John O'Brien
Managing Director
John O’Brien is the Managing Director of Carbon Market Solutions Ltd, having returned to Carbon Market Solutions in April 2022. John has a long track record of working with carbon markets for over 25 years. John co-founded CMS, back in 2004 and helped build CMS into one of New Zealand’s leading carbon brokerage and trading companies, successfully advising three of the first four international carbon trading deals from New Zealand and helping to broker the world’s largest AAU carbon credits forestry transaction in 2009 from New Zealand to Norway. In London, in 2005, John was a co-founder of a pioneering carbon trading company, Carbon Capital Markets, that traded carbon credits in Europe and invested in landfill gas carbon credit generating projects. From late 2009 to 2022 John worked with the United Nations Development Programme on developing and monitoring new climate change mitigation projects, working closely with the two largest financial mechanisms working to support the implementation of the Paris Accord in developing countries; the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
John has a BA (Hons) from Victoria University of Wellington and a Masters in International Affairs (MIA) from Columbia University, specializing in international environmental policy.
John is based in Wellington, New Zealand having returned from living in Europe for the last 12 years.
John speaks English, French, Spanish, and Russian.
Contact John at john@carbonmarketsolutions.com
Michael Devoe
Director
Michael joined CMS in October 2019 to generate and develop new business ideas. Michael started his professional career as a geologist and later worked as a banker. He has worked in Indonesia, The Netherlands and Germany.
Michael graduated from the University of Auckland with a BSc and later from Nyenrode Business University with an MBA.
Michael speaks English, Dutch, German and Russian.
Contact Michael at michael@carbonmarketsolutions.com
Harrison Bissell
Carbon Broker
Harrison Joined CMS in September 2022 coming from the retail power market. He was first exposed to mandatory carbon markets while finishing his studies in 2019. In 2021 he became and remains an NZ ETS participant.
Prior to this Harrison travelled extensively, working domestically and abroad in a raft of industries from adventure tourism to mining. He began to understand the gravity of the climate challenge we collectively face and the need for innovation to tackle it. He is a vehement believer that carbon markets are the solution to fuel this innovation.
Harrison Graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with a BCom in Economics and Finance.
Contact Harrison at harrison@carbonmarketsolutions.com
SIMON SMITH
Carbon Broker
Simon joined the CMS team in October 2021 and is currently finishing his third year at the University of Canterbury studying a Bachelor of Forest Engineering (Hons).
Through his studies Simon has gained familiarity with the forestry side of the carbon sector (specifically NZU’s) and is excited at the prospect of obtaining further experience in the carbon industry. Outside of university his interests include a love for the outdoors as well as a developing interest in commerce and business.
Simon is currently based in Christchurch, New Zealand and is originally from Rotorua.
WILL MILLER
Junior Research Analyst
Will joined CMS as a junior research analyst in June 2022. He has a Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Financial Engineering, and is currently studying towards a Master of Applied Finance and Economics at the University of Canterbury.
He has a keen interest in the part that carbon markets and credits can play in helping New Zealand and the planet meet our climate goals and obligations. Outside of university, Will is a keen skier and an avid fan of football and Formula 1.
Will grew up in Auckland, and now lives and studies in Christchurch.
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