Four Marine Conservation Society staff stand together on a beach, smiling facing the camera, as they get ready to take part in a beach clean

Our team

We wouldn’t exist without our incredible supporters or our brilliant staff team all led by our Board of Trustees and Chief Executive who set our strategic goals and ensure we are run properly.

Our Chief Executive

Sandy Luk

Our Chief Executive reports to the Chair of Trustees, and works with the Board and Senior Management Team to ensure that the Marine Conservation Society is run effectively and efficiently.

After completing a Masters in Environmental Law, Sandy began her career in the environmental, corporate and commercial departments of London City law firms.

She later became a regulation and environmental law solicitor at Anglian Water and then worked for public interest organisations, including the RSPB, for many years.

A portrait image of Marine Conservation Society CEO, Sandy Luk, who is standing facing the camera wearing a dark blue Marine Conservation Society top

Credit: Billy Barraclough

Previously, Sandy was Programmes Director at environmental law charity, ClientEarth, working on areas such as access to justice, biodiversity, fisheries management, marine protected areas, and chemicals.

“I thrive on the challenge of using science and the law as tools to bring about change and protect the marine environment.

I love that the Marine Conservation Society brings together expertise with hugely committed volunteers and members to protect the marine environment.

Sandy Luk, CEO, Marine Conservation Society

Our staff

Our staff share the same values and passion for our ocean. We have four departments all working together to achieve our goals:

  • Our Conservation team bring science and policy together, focusing on three areas of work: clean seas, ocean recovery and sustainable fisheries
  • Our Engagement and Communications team manages our supporter and public communications, campaigns, education programme, community and volunteer engagement, and social science
  • Our Fundraising team raises the vital income we need to invest in our mission
  • Our Finance and Resources team makes sure our supporters’ money is spent effectively and we have what we need to achieve our ambitious goals

Our science-based approach means our policies and programmes are based on evidence and are continually changing and improving. We stand up for what we believe in and do what is right, not what is easy.

We are committed to fairness, inclusion, representation and respect. To be successful, we must make sure everyone can claim their rights and fulfil their responsibilities to our ocean, so we can all benefit.

We benchmark our staff salaries with other charities to ensure our people are fairly paid for their work, while delivering value for money for our supporters. The bands of our top salaries are published in our annual impact report.

Our staff have different backgrounds, experience and skills. They are spread all over the country and we promote flexible working to ensure a good work/life balance for everyone.

It's been my pleasure and privilege to work with the team for over 25 years. The over-riding theme has never changed - complete dedication to the conservation of our seas, backed up by top-class scientific evidence – all still with a personal touch. I'm so proud of everything that has been achieved.

Ann Hunt, Enquiries Officer

Read our Equity, inclusion and diversity statement. (link to page when it exists)