Supporter Spotlight: Henry Engelhardt — Funding the future of the oceans | Oceana
Home / Blog / Supporter Spotlight: Henry Engelhardt — Funding the future of the oceans

September 18, 2024

Supporter Spotlight: Henry Engelhardt — Funding the future of the oceans

 

In a world filled with complex problems — and people seeking to solve them — how does one decide which organizations to support? The founder and former CEO of Admiral Group, Henry Engelhardt knows that “there is no shortage of good causes,” and donates to many of them through the Moondance Foundation, a charity he founded with his wife Diane Briere de L’Isle Engelhardt that aims to relieve poverty, improve health, preserve the environment, and more.

Henry Engelhardt is the founder and former chief executive of Admiral Group, a Welsh motor insurance company, and co-founder of the Moondance Foundation. © Diane Briere de L’Isle Engelhardt

“Start with what you’re passionate about, then talk to people inside and around charities to see which one you think will really make a difference…Find organizations you trust, then back them,” Engelhardt advises. “Sometimes we support causes that aid one person, sometimes we support causes that help entire oceans.”

Engelhardt was drawn to Oceana because he recognized the importance of seafood to humanity’s collective future. “What really made us believe in Oceana was its attitude towards fishing,” he said. “Oceana demonstrates that if managed correctly, there are, and will be, enough fish in the ocean to feed the world forever — a never-ending supply.”

A compelling vision is important, but the “how” matters just as much. As a successful businessperson, Engelhardt looks for clear-cut results. “Oceana makes progress,” he says. “They don’t just waffle on about the cause; they get out there and make things happen.” Also important: transparency. “We like that Oceana is honest about its wins and losses. It’s certainly not easy trying to influence governments to change the way we do things today for the benefit of the future, but Oceana’s track record is impressive.”

The Moondance Foundation has provided key support for Oceana’s newest campaign team in the United Kingdom. Oceana is currently campaigning to end overfishing, prevent new offshore oil and gas drilling, and ban destructive bottom trawl fishing in marine protected areas in the U.K. Half of the “top 10” U.K. fish stocks are overfished or have been reduced to a critically low size, a 2023 Oceana report found. “I am keen to see the U.K. become a more responsible country when it comes to fishing,” Engelhardt says.

Oceana and its allies are campaigning to turn the tide on overfishing in countries around the globe. “Wouldn’t it be great if the people of the world could get together to ensure a never-ending supply of fish?” Engelhardt asks. With continued support, an ever-abundant ocean is more than possible.