EY’s Mike Zehetmayr Appointed Chair of UK Carbon Markets Forum

• Mike Zehetmayr brings more than 35 years of financial markets and technology experience to the role, including senior positions at EY and IBM.
• The appointment reflects the UK Carbon Markets Forum’s focus on delivery as carbon credit markets continue to mature.
• The UK carbon credit economy already generates £1.2bn annually, while the global market is projected to expand up to 190 times its current size by 2050.

LONDON, 18 JUNE 2026 – The UK Carbon Markets Forum (CMF) has appointed Mike Zehetmayr, UK Financial Services Partner at EY, as its new Chair. The private-sector initiative, supported by the City of London Corporation, aims to help scale global carbon credit markets.

The appointment marks a new phase for the Forum as it focuses on integrating climate considerations into financial decision-making and broadening participation across finance, technology and sustainability. Zehetmayr succeeds Dame Clara Furse, who has led the CMF since its establishment in 2021.

Zehetmayr brings more than three decades of experience building and scaling financial markets infrastructure, including senior roles at EY and IBM. In his current position at EY, he led advisory work on the Great British Tokenised Deposits project, a pilot involving six of the UK’s largest banks to develop next-generation tokenised payment infrastructure. He also serves as a Board Trustee of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

Mike Zehetmayr, Chair of the UK Carbon Markets Forum, said: “Carbon markets exist because the global climate problem is real and urgent, and altruism alone will not scale solutions. The City of London has the infrastructure, and the CMF has the legal frameworks, the trading mechanisms, and the data and assurance capabilities. It’s now time to accelerate decisions and act on them. It’s a privilege to build on the platform Dame Clara Furse established, and lead the Forum through this next chapter.”

A recent CMF report found that the UK carbon credit economy already generates £1.2bn annually, while the global carbon credit market is projected to grow up to 190 times its current value by 2050.

Over the next 12 months, the CMF will focus on turning its ambitions into practical action to support the growth of global carbon markets. It will work closely with Government and international partners to help shape emerging policy frameworks, while advancing solutions to strengthen market infrastructure and support greater cross-border activity.

The Forum will also seek to build a stronger commercial case for the use of carbon credits through targeted engagement with corporates and financial institutions. These efforts are intended to support the development of carbon markets that are trusted, efficient and globally competitive.

Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman at the City of London Corporation, said: “The UK is the dominant force in global carbon markets – but this is a nascent sector, and we must provide the solutions if we are to continue to lead.

Mike’s appointment will be crucial in achieving this. I look forward to working with him to drive forward the work of the Forum, as well as thanking Dame Clara for her work over the past five years.”

Rachel Blake, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said: “Carbon markets have a critical role to play in mobilising finance for the transition to net zero and the UK is uniquely placed to build trust and growth in these markets.

I welcome Mike Zehetmayr’s appointment as Chair of the UK Carbon Markets Forum at this important moment and the group’s continued focus will be key to accelerating progress, supporting the Government’s growth and clean energy missions.”

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