Hugo Tagholm

About

Hugo leads Oceana UK, an organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the world’s ocean. Previously, he headed the ocean campaigning charity Surfers Against Sewage, where he took action ranging from the beachfront to the halls of Parliament. During his tenure, he secured government legislation to protect our seas across four key environmental pillars: plastic pollution, water quality, climate change, and ocean rewilding. Hugo founded the Safer Seas Service, Plastic Free Communities movement, the Million Mile Beach Clean, and the Plastic Free Awards. He is also a founding member of the Global Wave Conference. Under Hugo's leadership, Surfers Against Sewage grew from an annual turnover of £200,000 to over £2.5 million, expanding the team from 4 to 35 staff members. He oversaw the transition to charitable status, which helped unlock funding to scale the organization and enhance its impact across diverse campaign areas. He established the Ocean Conservation All Party Parliamentary Group in Westminster to foster dialogue with MPs for better ocean protection. Hugo developed a strong professional relationship with His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales (now His Majesty the King), working closely on ocean conservation issues. In 2020, he successfully secured the King’s patronage for the charity. Additionally, he curated the board of trustees, bringing on high-profile individuals such as business leader Richard Walker OBE and broadcaster Lucy Siegle. Hugo is part of the Edinburgh University Ocean Leaders programme and was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science by Exeter University. He is a regular media commentator on environmental and ocean issues, having appeared on Channel 4 News, the Today Programme, Sky News, Good Morning Britain, and various other news and current affairs programmes. He has written for The Times, the Express, and the Guardian, and his work is frequently featured in national newspapers. He is also a columnist for Oceanographic Magazine and has contributed to numerous surfing and water sports publications. An accomplished speaker, Hugo has given presentations in the House of Commons, the Cambridge Institute of Sustainable Leadership, the Blue Earth Summit, the Global Wave Conference, the UN Ocean Conference, and many other events. He hosted the 2022 Surf Industry Members Association Waterman's Ball in Laguna Beach, California, which raised over $250,000 for ocean NGOs. Hugo is a surfer and lives in the beautiful region of Cornwall in the UK with his family, including his wife Sarah and son Darwin.