Jonquil will start in her new role on 4th November, 2024, taking over from Andrew Morlet, who announced his intention to move on from the Foundation earlier this year after ten successful years as CEO.
Jonquil is an experienced leader with a proven track record of over 20 years in business transformation, sustainability, and the circular economy. Her expertise in fostering collaboration and partnerships between businesses, innovators, and policymakers will be key to expanding the Foundation’s reach and impact.
She comes from her position as CEO of Eunomia Research and Consulting, a social-environmental consultancy and research house. In this capacity, she set the company’s strategic direction, focused on circular, natural, and carbon economies, rooted in deep-seated policy and scientifically-sound expertise.
Previously she was Global Head of Sustainability and Climate Response at PA Consulting, where she led the COP26 campaign on the nexus between water and carbon emissions, as well as committing the firm to the Science-Based Targets Initiative. Prior to that she held various roles at Infosys over a 13 year period, latterly Global Head of Sustainable Business.
‘I am absolutely thrilled to be stepping into the role of CEO at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, an organisation I’ve long admired for its groundbreaking work in the circular economy. I have spent the best part of my career working to ensure circularity, climate response, and sustainability are at the forefront of business strategy. I couldn’t be more excited to lead the Foundation at such a critical moment.
“The shift to a regenerative, circular economy is no longer just a vision — it’s happening. Andrew has built an exceptional organisation and I look forward to working alongside inspiring individuals, partners, and changemakers to accelerate this transition, and together build a future in which business, society, and nature thrive.”
Jonquil Hackenberg
Over the last decade, the Foundation has mobilised stakeholders across industries to embrace circular economy solutions to address global challenges such as plastic pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss. It has now set itself ambitious goals for 2030 to further expand its Network, deepen its impact, and empower the next generation of changemakers. Appointing the next CEO now gives the organisation a runway to deliver on these goals.
Jonquil’s first high-profile engagement will be at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2025, where she will be joined by Ellen MacArthur and her team to continue to reinforce the Foundation’s mission to drive systemic change toward a circular economy, amplifying its influence on the global stage at a critical juncture for economic transformation.
"It’s with great excitement that we welcome Jonquil as our new CEO. She is a strong and charismatic leader with a proven track record of engaging diverse organisations in driving systems change across industries. Her passion for developing people, along with a talent for building partnerships that accelerate impact, makes her the perfect person to lead us forward. #
“At the same time, I want to use this opportunity to thank Andrew. His leadership has been nothing short of inspiring and his vision and dedication have set us on an incredible path. We’re deeply grateful for everything he’s done and for the legacy he leaves behind. As we step into this next chapter, we do so with immense pride and excitement for what’s ahead."
– Dame Ellen MacArthur
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation was established in 2010 with a small team based on the Isle of Wight, UK. Andrew Morlet, who joined the Foundation in January 2013 to lead the development of its business Network, has played a pivotal role in its growth. He became the Foundation’s second Chief Executive Officer in 2014. Under his exceptional leadership, the Foundation has raised more than £150 million in project funding and has played a significant role in mobilising over £350 billion in named circular economy public and private sector investment funding. The organisation today employs over 200 staff across offices in Brazil, Belgium, China, the UK, and the United States.
“It has been an honour to lead the Foundation as CEO over the last ten years and to help propel the vision of a circular economy onto the world stage. I am immensely proud of the team, past and present, for embracing and tirelessly working towards an ambitious goal of driving global-scale impact through a bold and innovative approach.
“I am delighted to welcome Jonquil as the new CEO and very much look forward to the future success of the Foundation as it continues to build momentum and scale adoption of the circular economy system solutions that are vital to future prosperity.”
– Andrew Morlet
Executive search firm Spencer Stuart led the eight-month selection process, working closely with the Foundation's trustees and their chair Ellen MacArthur.
