Linzi - strategy

Hey! I’m a strategist, environmental educator and community designer with over 15 years of experience at the heart of ocean conservation. I help ocean organisations and leaders move from good intentions to measurable change..

My love for all things ocean & outdoors has not only defined the path I’ve walked in life, but also the methodology I’ve created for my work. Removing people from screens, boardrooms & aircon and plugging them into nature to spark curiosity and remind them why their work matters.

In my role at Protect Blue, I lead the agency side of the organisation, working alongside ocean NGOs to design, build and implement impact strategies, education programs, movements and campaigns. My approach draws on training in social impact, design thinking and facilitation, combined with a strong track record in project management and building the systems that make strategy stick.

Alongside client work, I also design and runs Protect Blue's community programs - including Undercurrent, now in its fifth cohort - immersive learning experiences for ocean conservation and grassroots leaders focused on building agency and self-efficacy, giving participants the tools, support and community to create meaningful impact.

Luke - creative

Hi, I’m a backpack creative. Co-Founder & Creative Director of Protect Blue. I work best outdoors, especially close to water, and I work well with kind humans who have agency.

I grew up barefoot in the Botswanan bush, where I learnt healthy water is sacred and essential for all life. Age 13, I moved to South Africa for school, where life still evolved around the bush and ocean - bodysurfing, spearfishing and wild camping to collect cockles off the rocks at full moon. School life was competitive sport - water polo, swimming and rugby, which always ran alongside my obsession to the arts, particularly fine art and drama.

I later studied Art Direction and Graphic Design at Red & Yellow in Cape Town, but quickly realised the traditional agency path wasn’t for me. So after studying I headed to Uganda with a friend and learned whitewater kayaking on the Nile. This woke up a deeper call to challenge myself, and I soon volunteered for training at the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre - Lympstone.

I was privileged to serve 10 years as a Royal Marine Commando and to be awarded the Kings badge. My service took me through deserts, jungles, mountains, the Arctic and solid amount of time at sea. My active duty was in Afghan with the Black Knights - I served as a RM Sniper in a close quarter battle troop. I further specialised as a Platoon Weapons Instructor Class 1 and a Junior Commander with K Company, 42 Commando.

Alongside military service, I trained in freediving. I eventually qualifying as an SSI Advanced Freediving Instructor. During this time I also fuelled my creative through drawing and underwater photography.

Some of the most meaningful work I did was after wartime, working alongside injured Royal Marines. We explored freediving and breathwork through kinetic apnea training by sea and by land. I gained a deep appreciation and understanding of how powerful the breath can be when connecting body and mind.

After military service I went back into the arts, I studied Documentary Directing and Film Production at Ealing Studios; London MET Film School.

I’ve now focus my collective skills into ocean conservation by supporting our Protect Blue community through our online and residential programs. Commercially I explore the ocean through photography, film and teaching storytelling.