Team
Our team of expert conservationists, marine biologists, environmental researchers and media documentaries created yachts for science.
With our team and ambassadors, we are dedicated to protecting the planet through marine research. Working together across a diverse range of disciplines we are dedicated to working hard to guarantee the success of our vital conservation projects across the globe.
Rosie O’Donnell
PROJECT LEADER
@ YACHTS FOR SCIENCE
Rosie is a highly competent project manager which filters through all areas of her life, including an extensive home renovation project and being part of the organising committee for the annual youth sailing week, which her daughter is a keen competitor in, in her home village of Hamble, Hampshire.
With a taste for adventure, born from a childhood raised in Canada and Arabia, Rosie has circumnavigated the globe and is a qualified yacht rigger and sailor, which contributes to her extensive knowledge of the marine industry.
Rosie works across a portfolio of marine clients, ensuring all of the projects she works on are delivered on time, on budget and to the highest standard.
Oliver Steeds
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
@ NEKTON
Oliver is the Founder, Chief Executive and Mission Director of Nekton. Nekton unites scientists and journalists to combine frontline research and story-telling – to help protect the ocean. Nekton work with, and for ocean nations to support their national priorities to improve the prosperity, resilience and sustainable governance of their waters – supporting the global target of at least 30% protection of the global ocean by 2030.
Prior to Nekton, Oliver was a critically acclaimed, former broadcast journalist with ABC, NBC, Channel 4 (UK), Al Jazeera, Discovery Channels and others. He is also the co-founder of the educational non-profit, Digital Explorer and the Ocean’s Academy.
Lily Barclay
CO-FOUNDER, A PLASTIC PLANET AND OCEAN FAMILY FOUNDATION
Lilly Barclay is a lifelong sailor and ocean advocate, co-founding the Ocean Family Foundation (OFF) to support marine conservation. Raised on the North Sea coast of Jutland, Denmark, she developed a deep connection to the ocean, which now drives her work protecting its future.
Through OFF, she collaborates with organizations tackling threats like plastic pollution and climate change. In 2017, she co-founded A Plastic Planet, igniting global action to eliminate plastic. At the 2023 World Economic Forum in Davos, she helped launch PlasticFree, the first global solutions platform for creatives, empowering 160 million designers to innovate with plastic-free materials.
Sacha Bonsor
EDITOR AT LARGE
@ BOAT INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Sacha Bonsor is the Editor at Large of BOAT International, the world’s leading authority on superyachts and the life that goes with them. Ocean conservation lies at the heart of a lot of what we do, including our annual Ocean Talks event in partnership with the Ocean Family Foundation, and our annual Ocean Awards in partnership with NEKTON.
Our audience, from yacht owners to designers, builders and boat charterers, have a unique access to the ocean – and the opportunity to share it. Meanwhile, scientists have a unique ability to understand the ways in which the ocean can be saved, but often lack the access to prove it. Our hope for Yachts For Science is that it solves that problem. By connecting these two worlds, there is no limit to what, together, they can achieve.
Rob McCallum
CO-FOUNDER
@ EYOS EXPEDITIONS
Rob McCallum M.Sc of EYOS Expeditions, the worlds foremost provider of expedition services to the superyacht fleet. Credited with completing over 1200 expeditions to the world’s most remote and inspiring destinations, the EYOS team brings a wealth of operational experience to Yachts for Science.
Rob has had extensive experience with yacht-based philanthropic science including the design, build and operations of MV Alucia, a multi-year expedition aboard DSSV Pressure Drop and regular interactions with other private science providers. He has designed managed and lead science-based expeditions on all oceans and is considered a world authority in deep water submersible operations.
Rob believes that many of the future advances in science will be private science initiatives and that the Ocean is the last great frontier of scientific exploration on Earth.
Tim Soper
FOUNDING PARTNER
@ EYOS EXPEDITIONS
EYOS co-founder Tim Soper has spent his life exploring the world’s wildest places by sea and is an expert at planning and managing superyacht expeditions. Growing up sailing and diving on the Devon coast of Southwest England Tim developed a keen interest in the ocean, which led to a degree in marine biology and oceanography. As a professional diver, guide and expedition leader, he voyaged throughout the polar regions and tropics, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of extraordinary destinations worldwide. Tim has managed some of the most extreme superyacht expeditions ever completed, guiding clients to the most inaccessible and beautiful locations for remarkable experiences. With his background in marine science, Tim is always keen to explore, pioneering new regions and even discovering a previously unknown emperor penguin colony in Antarctica. He has managed dedicated research expeditions as well as superyacht voyages with scientists aboard, allowing owners and their guests to share the excitement of making new discoveries.
Jack Hogan
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
@ NEKTON
Jack is a marine science graduate who spent seven years navigating the world’s oceans aboard private expedition yachts, in this time sailing over 170,000 nautical miles and participating in key scientific expeditions. Before joining the Nekton Mission, Jack refined his writing skills as a magazine editor in London, where he focused on investigating sustainability in the private yachting industry and exploring the potential of luxury yachts to contribute to marine research.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Jack is an avid marathon runner and hiker who loves discussing movies and books during downtime on expeditions.
Jimmy White
MANAGER OF TECHNICAL, SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION PROJECTS
@ EYOS EXPEDITIONS
As a researcher with deep climate expertise, Jimmy obtained his PhD in Conservation Biology at James Cook University. He has been recognized as a Future Leader of Research in Australia for protecting species of conservation concern and conducted lectures on the intersection of innovative technologies and climate change. His operational and commercial experience has transpired into meeting maritime and aviation industries’ commercial needs to drive aggressive environmental outcomes.
To note, a sample of his work has dealt with alternative fuels, blue carbon and AI implementation to drive de-carbonization strategies. Supplementary to this operational experience, Jimmy has acted as a subject matter expert for Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authorities, providing global leadership and commercial guiding, led expeditions for National Geographic to Antarctica, Russia & Trans-Pacific, delivered gender equality programs in Papua New Guinea and spent time in conservation across the Sumatran Jungle and Middle east.
