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Chief Executive Officer Michael Berends is a highly respected leader in the global carbon markets. With a decades-long career spanning North America and Europe, he has held senior positions in top energy and financial organizations, including Barclays Capital, Vattenfall Energy Trading, and ICL, in trading, origination, procurement, and sales.
Michael has successfully executed numerous global carbon product deals and devised pricing and risk management strategies for emitters in compliance and voluntary markets across more than 50 countries.
Under Michael's leadership, ClearBlue Markets has experienced remarkable growth, expanding sixfold, earning its place as a trusted partner for hundreds of corporations worldwide and launching the Vantage carbon intelligence platform. In 2023, ClearBlue Markets secured an investment of $8 million in financing led by the Royal Bank of Canada.
Michael holds a Master's degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Toronto and a Master's in Environmental Management from the University of Amsterdam.
Ivan brings a decade of experience in the energy industry to ClearBlue, particularly in the oil & gas sector. Through his technical expertise and business insights, he actively supports ClearBlue’s wide range of clients in compliance and voluntary markets. Before joining ClearBlue, Ivan worked at TotalEnergies as a Drilling Engineer. He was in charge of well technical design & drilling operations and was the contract owner for 8-figure contracts. Other previous experiences include working in Gaulois Energía (O&G consulting) and Pluspetrol.
Ivan holds a master’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA) and a post-graduate specialization in Drilling & Completions from the Institut Français du Pétrole (IFP).
Nicholas is a Manager with ClearBlue, focusing on the Voluntary Carbon Market. Tasked with providing insights and in-depth analysis of supply and demand dynamics, corporate demand trends, VCM policy, and integrity standards, including international markets and regulations (Article 6, ICVCM, VCMI).
Nicholas holds a Master’s Degree in Macroeconomic Policy and Financial Markets from the Barcelona School of Economics and has prior work experience in ESG ratings and sustainability reporting.