Natasha Houseman, formerly chief operating officer at leading sustainability non profit Forum for the Future, has been appointed Blue Ventures’ managing director in an expansion of the charity’s leadership team. She joins the organisation in a key strategic role as it continues to grow its reach and impact, supporting coastal communities across the tropics.
Natasha is an experienced charity leader and qualified accountant who brings a wealth of skills and strong track record of organisational leadership to Blue Ventures. Her previous positions have included serving as chief operating officer and interim chief executive for Farm Africa. Natasha also serves on the boards of both Transparency International UK and the Institute of Development Studies.
As managing director, Natasha will oversee Blue Ventures’ growing global programmes, working closely with executive director and founder, Alasdair Harris.
Natasha said, “I am delighted to be joining Blue Ventures in the new role of managing director. Some years ago I had the privilege of working in Mikindani, a coastal village in Southern Tanzania where I witnessed both the challenges faced by small-scale fishers and the ongoing deterioration of the ocean. That’s why I am so excited by this role – it’s an opportunity to help a dynamic organisation realise its potential to support a greater number of coastal communities to thrive, strengthening livelihoods, improving food security, rebuilding fisheries and protecting ocean life.”
Alasdair said, “I’m thrilled that we have a leader of Natasha’s calibre to guide the organisation on the next stage of our growth. Natasha is not only a highly skilled and effective sector leader with significant strategic aptitude, but she also brings a strong alignment to Blue Ventures’ values. Natasha’s skills will help us to become a stronger organisation, better equipped to take on the urgent work of tackling the ocean emergency, supporting communities to steward their fisheries to benefit people and nature.”
He continues, “Natasha is a passionate advocate for conservation and delivering transformational change, and we are excited to bring her tremendous experience and energy focused to guiding the next stage of our journey.”
Natasha joins the leadership team at Blue Ventures in July 2021.