World Ocean Council Founder and CEO Paul Holthus to Step Down After 15 Years
The World Ocean Council (WOC), the global business alliance for Corporate Ocean Responsibility, today announced that Paul Holthus, its founder and CEO, will be stepping down from his role at the end of 2024 after 15 years of leadership.
WOC’s Growth and Vision under Holthus’ Leadership
With a vision of engaging the private sector in support of the ocean at a global, multisectoral scale over the long-term, Paul Holthus launched the WOC in 2009 as the only worldwide business and investment organization dedicated to ocean sustainable development.
WOC has grown into an international network of 35,000+ ocean industry, innovation and investment stakeholders. WOC connects this unique private sector leadership community with policymakers, international organizations, environment NGOs and science institutions.
To regularly bring the global ocean business community together, Paul began convening the WOC Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS) in 2010. This was complemented by the WOC Global Blue Finance Summit (BlueFIN), launched in 2020.
The WOC grew out of Paul Holthus’ efforts beginning in the mid-1990’s to develop and bring together a network of leadership companies from across the ocean industries (shipping, fishing, aquaculture, offshore energy, ports, cruise and coastal tourism, submarine cables, dredging, marine technology, etc.), as well the insurance, legal and finance communities. The importance and opportunity for harnessing the role of the private sector in support of a healthy ocean – and the enthusiasm from the companies that were involved – became clear during these pioneering, bootstrapping efforts.
The vision of a global business network organization for the ocean was captured in his 1999 landmark paper, “Sustainable Development of Oceans and Coasts: The Role of the Private Sector”, published by the UN.
Leadership Transition and Reflection from Paul Holthus
Reflecting on his upcoming transition, Holthus said, “Founding and leading the World Ocean Council has been an extraordinary journey. I am honored to have been able to meet and work with so many good, smart people in good, smart companies who care about their personal and corporate role in the future of the ocean. Together with great colleagues in the WOC Team, Board, Membership and Network, we have built a strong and unique global ocean business community. With the WOC firmly established as the original and largest business organization focussed solely on ocean sustainability, and now with our global HQ partnership with the City and Port of Barcelona, I feel that the time is right to pass the baton for the organization to grow into its next phase.”
Moving forward, Holthus will continue to be involved in WOC in a Senior Advisor/Emeritus role, and more broadly continue to advance private sector leadership, collaboration and action on ocean, coastal and island sustainability.
Appointment of Stewart Sarkozy-Banoczy as Acting CEO
The WOC Board of Directors has appointed Managing Director Stewart SarkozyBanoczy, to take on the role of Acting CEO. Sarkozy-Banoczy brings extensive experience from global resilience initiatives, blue economy and blue tech, as well as coastal and ocean-related projects and cross-sector collaboration, positioning him well to guide WOC in its mission. Stewart will assume full responsibility for leading the organization as it continues to drive forward its vision for a resilient and sustainable ocean.
“I am honored to take on the role of Acting CEO for the World Ocean Council and build upon the incredible foundation and momentum that Paul has created over the past 15 years” said Stewart Sarkozy-Banoczy. “WOC’s commitment to advancing the sustainable blue economy and fostering leadership, collaboration and action across industries is crucial for the future of our ocean. I look forward to continuing this work, building on the progress Paul has created, with the WOC Team, Board, Membership and Network – tackling the challenges and opportunities ahead as we enter the second half of the Ocean Decade with no time to lose.”
The official leadership transition will begin during the upcoming WOC Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS) and Global Blue Finance Summit (BlueFIN) events from 5-7 November in Barcelona. These flagship events are a fitting time to celebrate Holthus’ legacy and mark the next stage in the organization’s development. Paul Holthus will officially step down from his CEO role at the end of the year.
WOC Board Support for the Transition
Donna Lanzetta, Chair of the WOC Board of Directors, praised Holthus’ leadership and the organization’s continued growth.
“Paul’s visionary leadership has been the driving force behind WOC’s success. His passion and dedication have created the trusted global leadership organization in ocean sustainability. We are confident in Stewart’s ability to lead WOC into the future and continue advancing its important work.”
About the World Ocean Council
The World Ocean Council (WOC) is the global, cross-sectoral business alliance for ocean leadership and collaboration. WOC brings together ocean industry, innovation and investment stakeholders to ensure a sustainable ocean for future generations. As the premier private sector platform for corporate ocean responsibility and the sustainable Blue Economy, WOC focuses on developing and implementing practical solutions to balance economic growth and environmental stewardship. For more information, visit www.oceancouncil.org
