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 - Co-Founder & Creative Director of Protect Blue.

I grew up barefoot in the Botswanan bush, where my deep connection with nature first took root. From the age of 14 I attended secondary school in South Africa, where my world revolved around competitive sport (water polo, swimming & rugby) and the arts, particularly fine art and speech & drama.

After school I studied Art Direction and Graphic Design at the Red & Yellow Creative Business School in Cape Town, the “School of Logic and Magic.” While I loved creativity, I knew the traditional path through city advertising agencies was not for me.

Instead, a friend and I set off for Uganda where I learned to whitewater kayak on the Nile. During that time the call to test myself physically and mentally led me to join the Royal Marines. I served for ten years as a Royal Marine Commando, specialising as a Platoon Weapons Instructor and serving as a junior commander with K Company (Black Knights) at 42 Commando in a Close Quarter Battle Troop. My service took me through deserts, mountains, jungles, the Arctic and the ocean, including operational deployment to Afghanistan in a RM Sniper Pair & Combat Team Medic.

Some of my most impactful time whilst serving was working with fellow injured Royal Marines after our operations. As a Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) Team Leader & freediving instructor, I taught weekly breathwork workshops & ran freediving sessions for all personnel going through rehabilitation at 42 Commando in Kangaw Troop.

Those years shaped how I approach life and work today: stay lean, carry what matters, remain calm under pressure and look after the people around you.

Alongside my service I trained as an SSI Advanced Freediving Instructor & kept my creative spark alive through underwater photography and film.

After leaving the military I studied Documentary Directing & Film Production at MET Film School at Ealing Studios in London. Since then I have dedicated my work to ocean conservation, supporting grassroots communities, enabling science in remote locations and sharing impactful stories from the frontlines of ocean protection.

Today, as a filmmaker, photographer & freediver, I collaborate on ocean campaigns in challenging environments. My approach is simple: if it does not fit in the backpack, it does not come.

At Protect Blue we are underdogs supporting underdogs. We work alongside grassroots communities to ensure all voices are heard & to help important stories land. We amplify local leadership and ensure critical conservation work is seen, supported and sustained.