Former South Pole CEO John Davis Joins ACT Group as APAC MD

SINGAPORE, March 19, 2025 – ACT Group has appointed sustainability veteran John Davis as Managing Director for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, as the company looks to expand its presence and drive climate impact across the rapidly growing market.

Davis brings two decades of experience in sustainability solutions, having previously served as Interim CEO at South Pole, where he oversaw a critical restructuring and funding round. Over his 10-year tenure, he held leadership roles including Global Commercial Director and APAC Director, spearheading the company’s regional expansion and strategic growth initiatives.

Colin Crooks, CEO of ACT, welcomed Davis’s appointment, highlighting his expertise in carbon finance and emissions trading. “We are delighted to have John join ACT in this pivotal role. His deep understanding of the sustainability landscape, coupled with his leadership experience at South Pole, makes him an excellent fit for our mission. His vision aligns perfectly with our goal of providing innovative environmental solutions to help clients achieve their sustainability targets efficiently and transparently,” Crooks said.

Before joining South Pole, Davis held senior trading and origination roles at CF Partners and Spectron Group, handling high-value transactions in the carbon and energy markets.

Davis expressed his enthusiasm about the move, stating, “I am incredibly excited to be joining ACT and relocating with my family from Sydney to Singapore, a city we love. The Asia-Pacific region plays a crucial role in the global energy transition, and Singapore remains at the forefront of innovation in this space. I look forward to working with the exceptional team at ACT to support the decarbonisation efforts of economies across the region.”

Reflecting on his departure from South Pole, Davis described it as a difficult but natural transition. “It was a tough decision, but after taking some time to reflect, it became clear that ACT’s next global growth phase under Colin’s leadership presents an incredible opportunity,” he said.

Davis takes over from Federico Di Credico, who established ACT’s Singapore office in 2022 and now serves as the company’s Global Chief Sustainability and Innovation Officer.

His appointment comes as ACT continues its expansion, strengthening its position as a leading provider of decarbonisation and environmental solutions. In 2024, the company opened its seventh global office in Tokyo, joining existing locations in Amsterdam, New York, Paris, London, Shanghai, and Singapore. Through strategic acquisitions and enhanced capabilities, ACT aims to solidify its role as a one-stop shop for global sustainability solutions.