Distinguished friends

Maria Adebowale-Schwarte

Maria started her career in human rights and social and environmental justice, working in non-governmental organisations. Maria is the CEO of the Foundation for Future London and founder of the Foundation from Living Space Project, the urban placemaking think tank consultancy. She also sits on several governance boards of organisations and advisory groups
that hold a strong place-led, sustainable development, diversity, culture, heritage and environment focus including National Lottery Heritage Fund, Mayor of London’s Sustainable Development Commission, City of London’s Culture and Commerce Taskforce, and an ECO City 2023 Ambassador for the London Summit 2023.

She has a degree in Organisation Studies and Business Law, a Master’s in Public International Law and a Postgraduate Certificate in Architecture, Sustainability and Design and, received the Place and Environment Clore Social Fellowship. Maria is also an Inaugural Fellow at the Centre for Knowledge Equity, Skoll Centre, University of Oxford.

Her book ‘The Place Making Factor’ explores the connectivity between, people, place, environment and social focused grant making which leaves no one behind.