Ellen Macarthur

Ellen MacArthur transitioned from record-breaking solo sailor to a leading advocate for the circular economy, establishing a foundation to accelerate this global shift. After completing a single-handed circumnavigation of Great Britain in 1995 aboard her Corribee, ‘Iduna’, Ellen MacArthur rapidly established herself as a formidable figure in competitive sailing. Her prowess was further highlighted in 1997 when she finished 17th in the challenging Mini Transat solo transatlantic race. Her achievements earned her the prestigious British Telecom/Royal Yachting Association ‘Yachtsman of The Year’ award in 1998.

She completed the journey in an astonishing 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes, and 33 seconds, a record that earned her the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE), making her the youngest recipient of this honor at 28. Her contributions were further recognized in 2008 with her appointment as Knight (Chevalier) of the French Legion of Honour. After leading the three-person BT Team Ellen in 2007, MacArthur announced her retirement from competitive racing in October 2009. This marked a pivotal transition in MacArthur’s career as she shifted her focus to global resource and energy use.

In 2011, it launched a groundbreaking project focused on redesign for schools, fostering early education on sustainable practices. The Foundation further solidified its role as a thought leader in 2013 by hosting the largest gathering of circular economy experts globally. Demonstrating a commitment to innovation, the Foundation, in partnership with the Prince of Wales’ International Sustainability Unit, co-launched a US$2 million prize fund in 2017 to stimulate groundbreaking innovations specifically addressing waste plastics. MacArthur continues to lead the Foundation, driving its ongoing work with industry and government to accelerate the global shift towards a circular economy.