We are thrilled to announce that this August, Will Oulton joined us as our new Chair of the Board of Trustees. As Chair, Will Oulton will help secure the long-term financial future of the Ocean Conservation Trust and its National Marine Aquarium, supporting us in achieving our mission to restore and protect the Ocean, centred around people and positive action.
A leader in Ocean governance
Will arrives with a wealth of experience in charity governance. Before joining the OCT, he served as a Trustee Director and Vice Chair of the UK’s Marine Conservation Society (MCS). During that time, he was also the MCS board lead for Ocean recovery and chaired its Fundraising & Development Committee.
Putting the Ocean on the balance sheet
Alongside his charity work, Will has spent more than 30 years across financial services, sustainable investment and responsible business. Today, he also chairs the Responsible Investment Advisory Council at Columbia Threadneedle Investments, and the Sustainable Investment Advisory Panel at EdenTree Investment Management.
This mix of experience gives him a valuable perspective for our charity. Climate, nature and biodiversity are now part of many investment conversations, but the Ocean is too often missing from the debate. Will is passionate about changing that.
A key focus of his work with us will be helping financial institutions understand both the risks of declining Ocean health and the opportunities that come with a thriving, sustainable blue economy.
Fun fact: Will is the founder of Sustainability Rocks, a music inspired live event dedicated to raising awareness of finance’s role in sustainable futures, which raises money for conservation charities. You can also find Will on stage, where he plays guitar in a band called 51st State!
We spoke to Will about his new appointment as Chair
“I am honoured to be appointed as the new Chair of the Ocean Conservation Trust. I’ve enjoyed meeting and getting to know the team and hearing about the range of fantastic activities and conservation projects we are involved in. It’s going to be a very exciting time ahead as I now look to strengthen the board of trustees and develop our strategy for the next 5 years. I feel very lucky to have been given this opportunity to work with an amazing group of talented and passionate people.”
A warm welcome from our CEO
Ian McFadzen, Chief Executive of the Ocean Conservation Trust, said: “We are delighted to welcome Will as our new Chair at an exciting point in the Ocean Conservation Trust’s journey. He brings a wealth of leadership experience, strategic insight and a collaborative approach that will be invaluable as we shape the Trust’s next chapter.”
We couldn’t be happier to have Will on board, and we can’t wait to see what we achieve together for the Ocean. Welcome to the OCT shoal, Will!