Marc Nykolyszyn: Executive Director

Friends of the Ocean is led by Marc Nykolyszyn, an experienced non-profit and political leader with a decade of success securing major philanthropic investment, building influential partnerships, and delivering high-impact advocacy across government, industry, and the environmental sector.

Marc has held senior roles at two of the world's most influential ocean organisations — Oceana and Conservation International — working across multi-million-pound budgets and programmes operating in more than 30 countries. Collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams spanning science, policy, operations, and finance, he has secured significant private investment for large-scale marine campaigns and policy reform around the world, demonstrating robust financial stewardship and the ability to translate investment into measurable outcomes.

Marc brings a rare combination of political access and conservation delivery experience. He has previously stood for Parliament and built trusted relationships with Prime Ministers, Cabinet Ministers, MPs, Peers, and local representatives across the full political spectrum — positioning Friends of the Ocean to engage constructively with the political actors shaping the future of environmental and coastal policy.

Marc is recognised for his ability to unite funders, scientists, campaigners, and policymakers behind shared goals — bridging sectors that too often operate in silos. This collaborative approach has helped influence major environmental legislation, including the designation and strengthened enforcement of Marine Protected Areas, combating illegal fishing, and protecting threatened species through legislation such as the Shark Fins Act 2023.