World Ocean Council Founder and CEO to Step Down After 15 Years

Published at: Oct 08 2024 - 09:29 / Updated at: Oct 08 2024 - 09:30

The World Ocean Council (WOC) has announced that its founder and CEO, Paul Holthus, will step down at the end of 2024 after 15 years of dedicated leadership. Holthus launched the WOC in 2009, with a vision to engage the private sector in global ocean sustainable development.

Over the years, the organization has grown into a network of over 35,000 stakeholders across multiple industries, fostering collaboration between businesses, policymakers, and environmental organizations.

During his tenure, Holthus established key initiatives such as the Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS) and the Global Blue Finance Summit (BlueFIN), helping to position the WOC as the leading business alliance for ocean responsibility.

Reflecting on his decision, Holthus said, “The time is right for the WOC to move forward with new leadership. I am proud of what we have built together, and I’m confident in the future of the organization.”

The WOC Board of Directors has appointed Managing Director Stewart Sarkozy-Banoczy as Acting CEO.

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