How the Ocean Inspires Humanity

We’re honoured to welcome three visionary changemakers to share compelling perspectives on how storytelling, entrepreneurship, and scientific ingenuity are helping to restore our ocean and catalyse systemic change.

This intimate panel discussion aims to inspire thoughtful discussion and connection among those committed to environmental stewardship, offering a rare opportunity to hear directly from leaders shaping the future of ocean conservation. The evening will explore how individual action, creative solutions, and shared responsibility can contribute to a more resilient planet.

This event is in partnership with Julius Baer and Blue Marine Foundation, a UK based ocean conservation charity whose aim is to restore life in the ocean by securing marine protected areas and tackling overfishing. Blue Marine’s mission is to ensure the effective protection of at least 30 per cent of the ocean by 2030 and the sustainable management of the whole ocean. Blue Marine currently works in 30 countries around the world, with over 200 partners. Explore their work here.

Event Schedule

6:00pm: Pre-event socialising and networking
A cash bar will be available for refreshments.

6:30pm: Event begins

8:00pm: Event ends

Speakers

Jo Coumbe leads media, campaigns, education, and communications at Blue Marine, which is now a global force in the conservation world. Working from her coastal home in Cornwall, Jo has delivered some of Blue Marine’s most successful and high-profile campaigns including #BackTheBlueBelt, which led to the protection of 4.3 million kms2 of ocean in UK Overseas Territories. She is a former journalist and editor at the Guardian and Trinity Mirror.

Douglas Martin is founder and CEO of MiAlgae, the UK biotech company he started in 2016 while completing an MSc at the University of Edinburgh. A co-inventor of its patented technology, he has grown MiAlgae from a student side project to a commercial producer of fish-free omega-3 for aquaculture and pet food, now scaling manufacturing capacity in Scotland. MiAlgae was a 2024 Earthshot Prize finalist; Douglas is Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree.

Cristina “Mitty” Mittermeier is a renowned photographic artist whose work sits at the confluence of beauty, advocacy, and storytelling. With a background in marine biology and over three decades behind the lens, she has created a singular body of work that illuminates the interdependence of humanity and the natural world. Through her relationships with accomplished art dealers and curators, her work has been placed in many important and notable art collections across the globe.

Will Pearson, Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree and Co-Founder of Ocean Bottle, is on a mission to stop plastic pollution. Inspired by witnessing ocean waste during travels, he launched Ocean Bottle in 2018 to turn everyday choices into impact—one bottle funds the removal of 11.4kg of plastic from coastlines. Combining business with purpose, Will champions innovation and community action to drive environmental change.