Building on the achievement of receiving $2 million in government funding, COAST has added to its senior leadership by hiring Jason Goldsworthy as its Executive Director. Goldsworthy will be tasked with continuing to build COAST’s reputation and international capability as Pacific Canada’s hub for the sustainable blue economy — and running with the company's financial momentum.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Jason to our team at this exciting point in COAST’s trajectory,” says Emilie de Rosenroll, founding CEO of COAST. “COAST has built tremendous support for our work, and with Jason’s leadership, we’ll accelerate this momentum and help propel the incredible talent and energy of B.C.’s ocean and marine innovators.” 

Goldsworthy was most recently a general manager of Australia’s Westside Group of Companies. Prior to that, he served as the operations manager for Vancouver Island at environmental consulting firm Pinchin, and as CEO of Victoria-based Accumulated Ocean Energy. He holds a PhD in Engineering from the University of Adelaide and is registered as a Professional Engineer with Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia. 

“I’m excited to return to Victoria from Australia for this opportunity because of the enormous potential of B.C.’s oceantech and marine industries, and the integral role COAST plays in building Pacific Canada’s innovation ecosystem, which includes industry, government, and research partners,” Goldsworthy said. “The world needs more climate-conscious ocean and marine innovation, and B.C. is uniquely positioned to offer this.” 

It’s true. Companies in COAST’s jurisdiction like Open Ocean Robotics (which also received funding in the same round as COAST) are at the forefront of meeting this need. There is a significant market to tap into, too, with the world’s ocean economy slated to hit $3 trillion by 2030. Goldsworthy will be looking to ensure Victoria is a place where oceantech innovators can strike gold.