CHRIS DESAI
“The Rottweiler of Conservation”
Chris Desai Speakers Showreel
Chris Desai is an internationally recognised speaker, passionate environmentalist, and the visionary founder of UOCEAN 2050 and The Vayyu Foundation, Known for his powerful presentations and actionable insights, Chris has inspired global audiences, from corporate executives to university students, to take meaningful action toward a sustainable future.
Book Chris Desai
Book Chris Desai
Chris Desai is a proud husband, father, businessman and world renown philanthropist from humble beginnings, who has made considerable contributions to the benefit and protection of the planet with The Vayyu Foundation® and it’s two global conservation projects.
UOCEAN® is a mission to Clean, Protect & Restore the world's oceans by 2050.
Our founders story
Chris Desai is mixed race and draws his heritage and upbringing from Indian Uganda, Scotland, Germany and Jamaica.
“Many years ago, I took some time out of a ten year career in the fashion & music industry to learn how to sail professionally after a reaching a point in my life where I felt I had lost my purpose and meaning, surrounded by the glitz and glamour of the fashion world of central London and flying around the world at a moment notice. I left it all and returned to my first true love, the ocean and the natural planet.
My mother has always been a seafarer herself, learning to sail from her seafaring father along the Cornish coast throughout her childhood in small boats, she always felt at home by the sea, this love and connection passed down to myself from a very young age, she would take me to the water at every opportunity she could afford and put me through sailing lessons on the odd occasion when money was available.
The moment
“I opened my eyes as I returned from deep meditation one morning, sitting on the bow of the sailing yacht I was aboard, the sun began to glimmer over the horizon, dolphins swimming in unison looking up towards the sky and then into my eyes, dancing in front of the bow wave as we glided through the crystal clear waters off the Devonshire coast.
Something deep in me stirred, my life was about to change at that specific moment, it had been building up inside of me, something was about to happen but I didn't know exactly what.
I felt my energy completely shift and a type of buzzing in every cell of my body as tears started to stream down my face, time stood still, lost in the moment, everything froze and for a second, silence, complete and utter stillness. I felt at peace with the whole world instantly, in touch with every particle that ever existed, everything became clear in that moment and that my life was about to change going fourth.
My very existence, my purpose, my path became clear, a feeling of such grandeur, of belonging, of omnipresence in the surrealist of places, an overwhelming respect for the ocean, planet and every living creature upon it began to rise within me. I felt connected at every level.
I understood the very essence of life for that token second, the world spoke to me in a way I could never have imagined, nor could ever explain.
I knew moving forwards I couldn't happily go on knowing this world, this experience, this existence could be damaged by the fashion industry, the industry I had built a substantial career in.
“The Disrupter of Conservation”
“I have dedicated my life to this planet unashamedly, to the protection of the oceans, lands and its people.”
My Background
"In the tapestry of my life, maturing within the United Kingdom has been a profound privilege. I proudly embody British identity, while celebrating my rich British-Indian-African-Caribbean upbringing with reverence and gratitude."
"I am deeply humbled by the privilege to serve both our planet and its people every single day. This responsibility fills me with gratitude, guiding my actions toward creating a better, sustainable future."
Keynote Speaking
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"To book Chris for a keynote speech, inspirational life story session, or panel discussion, email us at info@uocean.org. We’ll provide a quote within 48 hours. *Minimum booking amount applies to all requests."
