Linzi - strategy

I’m the co-founder & strategist at Protect Blue. My work lies at the intersection of sustainability & creativity, and I’m passionate about finding innovative ways to create impact.

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.

With a focus on the triple bottom line business model and trained in social impact analysis, design thinking & branding, I love working with purpose driven organisations and showing businesses how to become a force for good.

From teaching kids to surf, to running eco music festivals and working for the government in environmental awareness - the first ten years of my career were dedicated to creating memorable experiences that connect communities to the importance of nature.

I’ve designed award-winning environmental education curriculum with a focus on experiential nature based learning and is dedicated to reframing the language we use and the approach we take in catalysing pro-ecological behaviour. Simply put - Keep it simple, keep it playful and make sure it means something.

Luke - creative

Hi, I’m a backpack creative and 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, this is where I learnt that healthy water is sacred and essential for life. At 14, I moved to South Africa for school, where life revolved around the ocean - bodysurfing, spearfishing, and picking 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.

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 in water and on land. I gained a deep appreciation and understanding of how powerful the breath when connecting body and mind.

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.

When leaving the military, I studied Documentary Directing and Film Production at Ealing Studios - London MET Film School. I focus my collective skills into ocean conservation by supporting grassroots communities and enabling science in remote locations.