FOUNDERS
Nekton has been established and developed with the generous support of our Founding Partners.
AXA-XL (previously XL Catlin)
Garfield Weston Foundation
Kensington Tours (& Launch Partner Mission II)
AXA-XL
AXA-XL (previously XL Catlin) was the title sponsor of our first Mission to Bermuda and the North West Atlantic 2016-2018 - the XL Catlin Deep Ocean Survey. AXA-XL believes that the insurance industry must take a leading role in improving understanding of potential changes to the environment. AXA-XLs contribution is to sponsor independent, impartial research that is freely distributed to the world's scientific community. The Deep Ocean Survey is AXA-XL’s third major ocean science program. It follows the Arctic Survey (2009–2011) that investigated the impact of changes to the Arctic Ocean; and the Seaview Survey (2012-2016) which created the world’s first digital baseline of coral reef health.
Garfield Weston Foundation
Garfield Weston Foundation is a family-founded, grant-making trust and still run by the Weston family. Since it was established in 1958 the Foundation has given over £1billion to charities across the UK. From small community groups to large national institutions, the Foundation supports a broad range of organisations and activities that make a positive impact in the communities in which they work. Over 1,800 charities across the UK benefit from the Foundation’s grants each year.
Kensington Tours
Founded in 2008 by Jeff Willner, a member of The Explorers Club and Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society, Kensington Tours creates custom-tailored privately guided travel experiences in the world’s greatest places – land or sea. Designed by skilled Destination Experts and fit to suit our travelers’ needs and interests, a Kensington tour is always a perfect fit. Kensington is proud to serve as a launch partner for Nekton’s upcoming missions into the Indian Ocean and to support Nekton’s endeavours to promote science, education, and understanding of the world’s hidden depths. Kensington Tours are also Mission Partner for First Descent.