Louisa is Director of the Foundation’s UK Branch. Louisa has had a long and varied career at the Foundation and since 2010 has pioneered environmental funding programmes, including the current Climate and Ocean programme.

Previously, Louisa led the UK Branch’s Valuing the Ocean programme – supporting new networks and approaches to promote effective engagement on marine protection in collaboration with colleagues in Portugal and the conservation sector. Louisa was instrumental in the establishment of the Marine CoLABoration group. She sits on a number of advisory groups including for the UN Decade for Ocean Science and Sustainable Development and international Ocean Literacy Working Groups.

Louisa was Secretary to the Trustees for the Saint Sarkis Charitable Trust (also created by Calouste Gulbenkian) from 2003-13 and has a background in communications, publishing and education. Early work for the Foundation included production of the art and environment anthology, Wild Reckoning, and of Saudade: An anthology of fado poetry with original translations by the leading names in English poetry today. Past roles include teaching in Japan and working for the Japan National Tourist Organisation. Louisa studied English at Cambridge and is a published poet. She has been a judge for the Koestler Awards and edited Brittle Star magazine for new writers for many years.