The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is delighted to announce Jonquil Hackenberg as its new Chief Executive Officer. 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 economycircular economyA systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature.. 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.
More about Jonquil Hackenberg
Career and professional background
Throughout her career, Jonquil Hackenberg has been a driving force in helping businesses adopt practices that align long-term growth with positive environmental and societal impact. Her leadership has been instrumental in guiding global organisations and startups to rethink how they design, produce, and manage resources in a way that reduces waste and regenerates natural systems.
Jonquil has led large teams driving productivity and boosting retention whilst also using links with prestigious organisations to deepen their capabilities and broaden their perspectives. She is passionate about developing people and believes creating inclusive, fun, and engaging environments is key to success.
Jonquil is a Trustee of the Design Council and of the Glasgow Science Centre and was recently a member of the Futures Council for Sustainable Development Goal Investment at the World Economic Forum.
She holds an Executive MBA from Stanford University, US and an MBA (Renewable Energy) from Beuth University in Berlin, Germany. She also holds a BA (Hons) in Modern Languages from the Universities of Birmingham, UK and Universita Cattolica Milano, Italy.
Recent achievements
Innovation Lead, Futures Council for SDG Investment at World Economic Forum, focused on water-carbon nexus. 2020-2022
Advisor, Global Freshwater Challenges, Uplink, World Economic Forum. 2021-2023
Defined the strategy, partnership funding mechanism, and technical design for the world’s first green-tech scaleup campus, bridged between the UK and the Middle East. Primary goal was to attract next-scale startups, series A+ investors and global engineering conglomerates to industrialise solutions around water, renewable energy solutions and EV and fast-track climate response. 2022
Woman of the Year 2019 Finalist, Women in IT Awards Europe in recognition of modern leadership and triple bottom line initiatives
Forbes, Financial Times and Raconteur Contributor, Green Tech and Sustainability, January 2019-date
World Economic Forum: Futures Council Member and Innovation Lead, SDG Investment. 2020-2022
Contributor to the book Significant Women: What Matters Most. 2021
