Amanda Sturgeon appointed as Built by Nature’s first CEO

Built by Nature, a network and grant-making fund with a mission to accelerate timber building in Europe and the UK, has announced the appointment of Amanda Sturgeon as its first chief executive.

She joins from Mott MacDonald, where she was the regenerative design and climate change practice lead for the Asia-Pacific region.

As the former chief executive of the International Living Future Institute, based in the US, Sturgeon spent a decade creating regenerative frameworks and a global movement around biophilic design. She is an award-winning architect and a TED speaker on “Bringing Biophilic Design to Life”.

“We must urgently address the way we renovate and construct our buildings,” said Sturgeon. “Mass timber should become a mainstream construction choice and Built by Nature, with its coalition of pioneering developers, designers, investors and city leaders, is driving this change through a pragmatic, collaborative programme to connect and fund industry frontrunners, so I am thrilled to be its first CEO and I look forward to leading its ambitious agenda as it strengthens its network across European markets.”

Donald Brenninkmeijer, chair of Built by Nature, said: “The immense experience and knowledge Amanda brings to the role of CEO is key to driving forward this timely and significant initiative. Built by Nature is playing a critical role in accelerating the timber building transformation and it is uniquely placed to foster the creativity, innovation and commitment needed to unlock the opportunities to catalyse the industry to advance timber building solutions for rapid decarbonisation.”