Benita Matofska, is a changemaker for climate and sustainability and a world-renowned speaker and social entrepreneur. She empowers businesses globally to embrace sustainability and social innovation, drawing from her 35-year career, award-winning book 'Generation Share,' and impactful initiatives like 'Global Sharing Week’ and ‘Climate Women’.

Paul Brewer, Director for Sustainability & Resources at Adur & Worthing Councils, drove the creation of Sussex Bay in its early phase and sponsors the programmes. Paul has led a number of award winning and large scale initiatives in climate action, net zero and nature recovery, and is passionate about the power of local collaboration to make big things happen.

Dean is Head of Blue Natural Capital, Sussex Bay and helps to drive the work forward, fast becoming recognised as a visionary in marine conservation. A Geographer who started out measuring Peat Bog samples in Aberystwyth, with over 20 years experience since in education, sustainability, ethical finance, government. Dean is passionately engaged in communities, serving as a volunteer and trustee for multiple causes.

Joanne Preston, Professor of Marine Biology at the University of Portsmouth, leads impactful research on coastal habitat restoration. Her expertise spans oyster reefs, seagrass, and saltmarsh ecosystems. Joanne’s work contributes to biodiversity conservation and sustainable marine management, making her a vital voice in marine science.

Lewis Crathern Vice World Champion and 4X British Champion, was born and raised in Worthing and still lives in the area. He has travelled the world through his passion of kiteboarding and spends time commentating, coaching and delivering talks and workshops to young people. He is also very passionate about his local area, part of Sussex Bay, which is a world class destination for kitesurfing.

Alinah Azadeh was the first Writer-in-Residence for the Seven Sisters Country Park and Sussex Heritage Coast (2020-23). Alinah is an artist, writer, performer, cultural activist and facilitator whose work offers fresh perspectives on our connections to the land and seascape. Alinah is the lead writer/curator of ‘We Hear You Now’ audiowalk project, funded by the South Downs National Park Authority and Arts Council England and installed along the coast from Seaford to Eastbourne until 2029.

Leo is Youth Lead for the Elizabeth Swann Mission, an official EU Water Mission, aimed at developing zero emission ocean transport. Leo is at College studying Engineering and Mathematics. The mission involves the construction of a long range vessel to cross the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific ocean, and Mediterranean, via a world navigation in under 80 days fuelled by hydrogen or hydrogen compounds, to be implemented in stages to rival diesel bunker fuel fleets.

Caroline is the Head of Nature and Environment at The Crown Estate: a marine biologist and maritime specialist with over 20 years’ experience of working across the sector. Caroline joined The Crown Estate in 2021 and has led the development of new workstreams focussed on habitat creation, restoration and enhancement across the marine business. Caroline has interest in exploring the potential for high integrity private finance to accelerate nature recovery and support the growth of a blue economy that reflects the importance of the UK’s natural assets.

Pooran Desai is a changemaker for climate and sustainability and founder of OnePlanet. He co-founded Bioregional, creator of the framework on which the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are based, and which were adopted by all UN members states in 2015.

Ruth Anslow is a social entrepreneur, who in 2010 left her corporate career to embark on a mission to transform business, for good. She co-founded 'HISBE Food CIC' and ’The Good Business Club’ and consults with businesses from multiple sectors to help them drive purpose as well as profit. Ruth is an advisor to Sussex Bay and works on the branding and business engagement strategies.

Sam Zindel, the MD of award-winning digital agency Propellernet, combines analytical skills with creative flair. He leads a number of SME focused climate initiatives, founding Low Carbon Leaders and The Million Tree Pledge. Sam is committed to doing everything possible to help restore our climate and is focussed on engaging SMEs in taking radical action.

Mandy Wolfe, the Chief Executive of Lyme Bay Fisherman’s Community Interest Company (CIC), spearheads a ground breaking initiative by fishermen, for fishermen. With two decades of industry experience, she champions meaningful representation and sustainable practices in the fishing community, making Lyme Bay a blueprint for coastal collaboration.

Dave Erasmus, a master questioner, is a social entrepreneur, speaker, coach, influencer, thinker, learner, and doer. He founded the online charity platform Givey and explored innovative ways to create positive behavioral change. Dave is currently using sound recordings and machine learning to monitor ocean biodiversity. His journey reflects a relentless pursuit of meaningful impact in the world.

Sam Fanshawe, the Senior UK Projects Manager at Blue Marine Foundation, has dedicated over 30 years to marine conservation initiatives in the UK. Her work as an environmental campaigner at heart, spans sustainable fisheries, marine protected areas, plastic pollution, education, and citizen science. Sam’s passion for safeguarding our oceans and ethos to inspire, inform, involve and influence people in positive change drives her impactful contributions.

Tom Willis leads the team at Shoreham Port. As a Trust Port since 1760, the profits generated are reinvested to continually improve the Port for everyone. A certified EcoPort since 2013, Shoreham is amongst the most environmentally proactive ports in the world. Tom has a wealth of large scale leadership experience and is a qualified coach and behavioural change expert.

Henri Brocklebank is the Director of Conservation at the Sussex Wildlife Trust. Henri is very proud to be Chair of the Sussex Kelp Recovery Project Steering group and for its predecessor group ‘Help Our Kelp’.

Kevin Richmond, is Chief Executive of Sussex Community Foundation, one of the ten largest and fastest growing community Foundations in the UK. Kevin is a trustee of UKCF, the national membership charity for community foundations and lives in Bexhill-on Sea.

Eric and Catrine are a father and daughter team who run the community group Sussex Underwater. They featured in the BBC documentary Our Lives; Our Seaforest, which showcased Eric’s story and the recovery starting to happen in Sussex Bay since the trawler ban came into place in 2021. Eric is now 76 years old and started diving in the bay when he was 11. He was instrumental in highlighting the damage the trawlers were doing in Sussex. Eric and Catrine co-founded Sussex Underwater so that the sea was never out of sight and out of mind again. Sussex Underwater now share films of the recovery they are starting to see in Sussex Bay with over 18 thousand followers, give local talks and work closely with marine conservation organisations with the aim to push for trawler bans all over the UK.