Dame Ellen MacArthur DBE

Circular Economy Advocate

Dame Ellen MacArthur made yachting history in 2005, when she became the fastest solo sailor to circumnavigate the globe. Dame Ellen now aims to promote a circular economy which redefines growth, focusing on positive society-wide benefits, catalyses change and shows the importance of social responsibility to the environment.

"Our mission is to accelerate the transition to a circular economy"

Topics

Circular Economy
Goal Setting and Performance
Leadership and Motivation
Sustainability
Management of Risk
Achieving the Impossible
Cities & Environment
Innovation & Creativity
Transformation

Languages

She speaks English and French.

How she presents

Her innovative and determined approach and her unparalleled success when it comes to overcoming obstacles are a true inspiration. Her insights on embracing sustainability, creating a profitable business and achieving success also inspire ethical and innovative business practices.

Publications

2010
Full Circle: My Life and Journey
2008
Shipshape: The Essential Guide to Life at Sea
2003
Taking on the World: A Sailor's Extraordinary Solo Race Around the Globe

Talk to us about Ellen MacArthur

In Detail

In 2009, Dame Ellen MacArthur became aware of the limited availability of resources that our linear economy heavily depends on, she made the decision to leave her professional sailing career behind, after embarking on a four-year journey around the globe studying issues confronting our current global economy. She subsequently founded the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The Foundation works with education and business to accelerate the transition to a regenerative circular economy. She acted as Vice-Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Meta-Council on the circular economy and sat on the European Commission’s Resource Efficiency Platform between 2012 and 2014. She received the French Legion of Honour from Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008. Ellen is a Patron of the Big Bang Fair – the largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths for young people in the UK.

What she offers you

Ellen encourages environmental awareness with passion, determination, and charm. Her aim is to catalyse change and communicate the importance of social responsibility to the environment.