Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Review Task Force

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Review Task Force

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Review Task Force
Meet the Task Force overseeing our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Review.

Page last updated: 27 January 2023

The review, launched in June 2020, aimed to identify ways to drive greater equality, diversity and inclusion within The Heritage Fund and across the heritage sector. 

The Task Force was in operation between 2020 and 2022 and involved in a wide range of consultation – internally and externally – to help us define an ambitious vision of inclusive heritage to guide our operational and grant giving activities. 

The EDI Review report, published in August 2021, sets out our findings and progress to date. 

Members of the Task Force

Maria Adebowale-Schwarte (Chair)

Maria is an inclusive place and urban strategist, the CEO of the Foundation for Future London, and founding Director of the Living Space Project. She is a member of The Heritage Fund’s Board of  Trustees, and Chair of The Heritage Fund’s South East Committee. Maria has over 25 years of hands-on and strategic expertise in national and international organisations, with a focus on placemaking, heritage, culture and environment funding and grant-making.

Baljeet Sandhu MBE

Baljeet Sandhu MBE is an award-winning human rights lawyer, educator and pioneer of the global ‘knowledge equity’ movement. She has designed successful systems-change models of practice in the UK legal, social and investment sectors, and is a global thought leader on the value of lived experience in social and environmental impact work. She was honoured with the DVF International Award at the United Nations in 2017 and recently established the ground-breaking Centre for Knowledge Equity.

Atul Patel MBE

Atul's 30-year career includes roles as Director of Regulation at the Housing Corporation and Deputy Director at the Cabinet Office Social Exclusion Unit. He was Chair of the Race Equality Advisory Group at the Department for Communities and Local Government from 2001-2005. Atul was appointed Trustee of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and The Heritage Fund in 2011. He received an MBE in 2018 for services to heritage and the community in the East Midlands.

Dame Seona Reid

Dame Seona is currently the Chair of National Theatre of Scotland, Chair of British Council Scottish Advisory Committee and a board member of Tate and Edinburgh International Cultural Summit. She has served as Director of the Scottish Arts Council, Director of the Glasgow School of Art, Deputy Chair of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Chair of its Scotland Committee. Dame Seona was awarded a DBE in 2014 for services to the creative industries.

Mukesh Sharma MBE

Mukesh has led a number of major companies during his career in tourism. He received an MBE in 2016 for services to the travel industry in Northern Ireland, and is Deputy Lieutenant for the County Borough of Belfast. He has led many initiatives across Northern Ireland to promote the arts, community cohesion and the prevention of racism, sectarianism and hate crime. He is Chair of The Heritage Fund’s Northern Ireland Committee and Trustee for Northern Ireland.

Professor David Stocker

Professor David Stocker is visiting professor of Medieval Studies at Leeds University. He has worked in the heritage sector since 1978 and held posts with a number of heritage bodies including English Heritage, and served on a number of The Heritage Fund's Committees since 2013. David – who uses a wheelchair – is particularly interested in aspects of accessibility within heritage, and has served on committees addressing these issues.

Joan Saddler OBE

Joan Saddler OBE is Director of Partnerships and Equality at the NHS Confederation, and former National Director of Patient and Public Affairs at the Department of Health. As a former primary care trust Chair and mental health trust Non-Executive, Joan brings a governance lens to her work, along with her experience as a Chief Executive within the community and voluntary sector. Joan was awarded an OBE for services to Health and Diversity in 2007. 

Dr Anjana Khatwa

Dr Anjana Khatwa is an earth scientist, presenter, and consultant specialising in learning and engagement, content development and embedding diversity and inclusion into business practice. Anjana has been awarded the RGS Geographical Award, a Silver Commendation from the Geographical Association and was a finalist in the National Diversity Awards 2020 as a Positive Role Model for Race, Faith and Religion. She is Vice Chair of the Dorset Race Equality Council  and holds a BSc. in Earth Science and a Ph.D. in Geography.