Hugo Tagholm – Executive Director

I passionately believe about coastal protection here in the UK and around the world, and unfortunately there are an ever-increasing number of threats to our beautiful oceans, beaches and, worryingly, the waves that we all share a passion for.

I took over as Director of Surfers Against Sewage at the tail end of 2008. At the time I was already on the voluntary board of directors and had been involved with the organisation since its earliest days back in the early 90s, either as a member, supporting campaigner or, even once, by competing in their Surf To Save competition up at Polzeath.

With the support of the team, Im most of all proud to be building the campaign in the strong direction, which today has a clear vision of protecting surfers rights to a clean environment, a clean bill of health and, very importantly, clean, unobstructed waves.

In my career, Ive worked for a number of charities big and small, including the Stop Climate Chaos coalition and the Wildlife Trusts. For a number of years I also worked with the former Prime Ministers wife, Sarah Brown, running her charity PiggyBankKids, set up to help save the lives of premature babies and create opportunities for under privileged young people. So Ive gained invaluable experience and contacts over the course of my career, many of which now benefit SASs ongoing mission to protect the coastal environment here in the UK.

Surfing is of course a passion too. Best waves? Some memorable Badlands sessions amongst friends, a couple of Lynmouth standout days with a handful of people out, a session in perfect head-high Brimms Ness at 5am with 3 friends and believe it or not, a few lovely days at Bournemouth Pier that have really stuck in the mind!