London, England, United Kingdom
Doug Johnson-Poensgen is a founder, CEO, and transformation executive with more than three decades of operating leadership across climate and industrial technology, financial services, TMT, defence, and government. He has built businesses from concept to global scale, led complex business model pivots under commercial and regulatory pressure, and delivered major operational turnarounds in regulated, politically sensitive environments. He founded Circulor and led it for eight years, scaling from inception to global market leadership in industrial supply chain traceability - partnering with major automotive and energy companies including Volvo, Jaguar Land Rover, Total, BHP, and Boeing, and contributing to the development of battery passport standards across Europe. Recognised by the World Economic Forum as a Technology Pioneer (2022) and Global Innovator (2024). A defining feature of the Circulor tenure was navigating a full business model pivot: identifying structural shifts in the regulatory and political landscape and repositioning the business from climate/ESG traceability to cross-border trade compliance - targeting EUBR, EUDR, CBAM, and Basel Convention obligations - while maintaining commercial momentum through the transition. This kind of pivot, executed under real pressure, is where Doug adds disproportionate value. Prior to founding Circulor, he held senior leadership roles at BT Global Services and Barclays, where he led large-scale operational turnarounds, major regulatory remediation, and digital transformation programmes. At BT, he was a senior member of the team that delivered a 450% EBITDA increase on an £8.5bn business turnaround. At Barclays, he resolved two significant historical regulatory issues through complex multi-party negotiations, directly saving the bank approximately £250m. Named to the TIME100 Climate list (2025) recognising global leadership in climate impact.
Senior operating partner at Dale Ventures, working across the group's investments, operating businesses and strategic platforms. Also direct oversight of all portfolio companies in the technology, fashion and luxury sectors
Founded Circulor to bring traceability and accountability to complex industrial supply chains, and led the company for eight years from inception to global market leadership. Raised approximately £40m from VC and strategic investors including Volvo, Jaguar Land Rover, Total, BHP, and Boeing. Scaled with global automotive, minerals, energy and electronics customers across more than 30 countries. A central chapter of the Circulor story was executing a full strategic pivot in response to shifting regulatory and political conditions. Identified early that the climate/ESG traceability narrative faced structural headwinds, and repositioned the business around cross-border trade compliance. Rebuilt the commercial proposition, reframed the enterprise buyer relationship, and maintained business momentum through the transition. Established what became the global standard for battery passports and critical-mineral accountability. Contributed to the development of battery passport standards across Europe and engaged directly with policymakers and regulators on responsible sourcing frameworks. Recognised by the World Economic Forum as a Technology Pioneer (2022) and Global Innovator (2024). Named TIME100 Climate 2025.
Systemiq is a highly collaborative system designer, developer and disruptor. We unlock system change by developing trusted, wholehearted partnerships with leaders in civil society, innovative investors, government, business, and finance.
Over time the chair of Estates committee, chair of Finance and General Purposes committee and then vice-chair of the Board
Led a 100-person consulting and transformation firm serving public- and private-sector clients. Oversaw strategy, commercial growth, and delivery, building new digital, innovation, and change-capability offerings for clients navigating large-scale transformation.