Timber building network and grant-awarding fund Built by Nature has appointed Amanda Sturgeon as its first CEO.
Sturgeon joins from Mott MacDonald, where she was the regenerative design and climate change practice lead for Asia Pacific.
Previously, as CEO of the US-based International Living Future Institute, she created regenerative frameworks such as the Living Building and Community Challenge programmes and created a global movement around biophilic design.
Sturgeon is also an award-winning architect and American Institute of Architects fellow, as well as author and TED speaker.
She holds a BSc in Architecture from the University of Sydney and an MSc from the University of Wisconsin.
Sturgeon commented of her appointment: ‘I have spent my career focusing on how we connect the built environment back to nature, and I am passionate about scaling solutions for the industry that can address both climate change and biodiversity loss. I look forward to leading Built by Nature’s ambitious agenda, as it strengthens its network across European markets and as its Accelerator Fund supports a growing portfolio of barrier-breaking projects.’
Donald Brenninkmeijer, Built by Nature chair added: ‘Built by Nature is playing a critical role accelerating the timber building transformation. The immense experience and knowledge Amanda brings to the role of CEO, from non-profit leadership and stakeholder management, to fundraising and technical expertise, is key to driving forward this timely and significant initiative.’
Founded by Laudes Foundation, Built by Nature aims to accelerate timber building projects in Europe and the UK by connecting key actors to decarbonise the built environment.
It provides grants of between €50,000 and €250,000 to initiatives that tackle technical, regulatory or financial barriers, or new approaches that increase the climate impact of timber buildings through circular thinking and regenerative sourcing.
Since launching in November 2021, the Accelerator Fund has awarded just under €700,000 through seven grants across the UK, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain.
