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Community Ambassadors

In 2024, the Foundation for Future London was delighted to launch a new Community Ambassador Programme. Community Ambassadors are volunteers who share our vision of providing access to equitable opportunities and fair regeneration throughout East London.

Our ambassadors are the face of the Foundation for Future London’s work through advocacy, strong representation and positive championing of the Foundation. Ambassadors help the Foundation do this by amplifying the voices of the projects we fund,  raising awareness of the importance of the work we deliver within the community and helping us fundraise to make this happen.

Our Community Ambassador Lead is singer and award-winning social entrepreneur Tiwa King, who is responsible for shaping the ambassador programme as it grows.

Our newest ambassadors are Jazal Babar, a young leader in the ESG space, working between sustainability and philanthropy; Katie Balcombe, a communications professional working in culture and placemaking; and Zak Addae–Kodua, founder of Xconversation CIC, a podcast platform that conducts lived experience interviews and runs programmes and workshops in schools, prisons and the community.

If you are interested in joining our growing team, skip down to the bottom to find out more and get in touch.

Photo: Chris Baker

Video Interviews

Watch now: Tiwa King in conversation with East London artist Official Remz

Film: Chris Baker

Watch now: Jazal Babar in conversation with Tiwa King

Film: Chris Baker

Watch now: Zak Addae–Kodua in conversation with Tiwa King

Our Ambassadors

Tiwa King (Lead)

Tiwa King is an internationally known singer, wellbeing consultant, two-time TEDx speaker, host, BBC radio contributor, author, award-winning social entrepreneur and Founder and CEO of Beyond a Song CIC. This year, Tiwa was selected to be a UN Women delegate 2024 and 2025 and won the prestigious 2025 WISE100 (Women Leading in Social Enterprise) Rising Star Award by NatWest and Pioneers Post.

Beyond a Song is a unique social enterprise on a mission to empower and build confidence and self-love; ensuring individuals’ wellbeing is at the core of everything they do – through the power of song. Dedicated to empowering women,  mothers of neurodiverse children, and children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Tiwa is proud to have collaborated with renowned organisations such as CNN, Apple, Sky, Ministry of Justice, Social Ark, the BBC, KPMG, NHS, Westfield and numerous incredible grassroots organisations and schools.

Jazal Babar

Jazal Babar is a young leader in the ESG space, working between sustainability and philanthropy. He joined The Conduit, where he is currently a Global Impact and Sustainability Lead, directly from Cambridge University, where he was active in student organising and community engagement.

Jazal has been central to advancing sustainable initiatives in his organisation and advising the Belron Ronnie Lubner Charitable Foundation as they awarded over €4m of grants to organisations supporting refugees globally.

Photo credit: Edward Howell Photography

Katie Balcombe (Communications Lead)

Katie Balcombe is an accomplished communications leader with 14 years of experience delivering impactful campaigns across culture, the built environment and placemaking. Her career spans both the public and private sectors, driving engagement on transformational projects like Stockport MDC’s £1bn town centre regeneration and Quintain’s redevelopment of Wembley Park.

Katie has also played a pivotal role in promoting cultural destinations, including the Culture Mile and BOXPARK’s newest venture, BOXHALL City.

Previously, Katie worked at the Museum of London, leading award-winning initiatives, such as the widely acclaimed Fatberg! exhibition.

Her passion for storytelling and strategic vision continue to help shape vibrant communities and dynamic urban spaces across the UK.

Read Katie’s blog

Zak Addae–Kodua

Zak Addae–Kodua is the founder of Xconversation CIC, a podcast platform that conducts lived experience interviews and runs programmes and workshops in schools, prisons and the community. The organisation supports young people at risk of entering the criminal justice system, as well as those transitioning out of custody.

Zak co-hosts the award-winning ‘Life After Prison’ podcast, where he shares his personal journey and interviews inspirational guests about their stories and experiences.

Awards & Recognition

  • Gold Award for Best New Presenter in the UK at The Radio Academy Awards 2023
  • Best Ensemble Cast winner at The Audio Production Award 2024
  • The Black Talent Award winner for contributions to the Charitable and Social Change Sector 2024

Media Appearances

Zak has been featured on Times Radio, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 1Xtra, The Guardian, The Observer and The Times Newspaper publications.

Join our Community Ambassador Programme

The Foundation for Future London is recruiting its next Community Ambassador. We are looking for people from all walks of life, ages and experience to represent, fundraise, promote and elevate the boroughs of Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest, East Bank and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Our small team and Board of Trustees will support you to make a big impact locally, and you will receive benefits as part of your relationship with us.

Our Community Ambassadors will speak with a wide range of audiences and organisations, from schools and universities to local businesses, youth organisations, community groups and charities about the vital work of Foundation for Future London, inspiring them to take action or attend other networking and high-profile events.

We are looking for individuals with lived experience and passion for East London to deliver this work. In return, the Foundation will have a strong commitment to you as an Ambassador.

Our Commitment to You

Our Community Ambassador Programme is new for the Foundation, and we hope to develop this with your input and knowledge as it grows. We will provide you with new contacts, networks and opportunities – stuff that money can’t buy. We will be here to ensure that your career will grow and thrive, and support you on a personal level.

As a Foundation, access, equity and inclusion are important to us, and this extends to our Ambassadors and volunteers, as much as it does to our local communities and wider stakeholders.

What You Will Get Out of It

Being an ambassador for the Foundation means we will:

  • Champion you and respect your knowledge, skills, views and lived experience
  • Showcase you to our partners, networks and at high-profile events
  • Support you with training and networking opportunities
  • Provide opportunities for you to meet a variety of new people
  • Recognise your contributions on our website and social media
  • Notify you of funding and professional opportunities
  • Provide financial compensation for expenses incurred
  • Provide support and training
  • Ensure all engagement opportunities are accessible

Our Ambassadors will come from the communities in the boroughs we serve: Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest. They will be selected by the Foundation’s team, based on the passion and knowledge they demonstrate for East London.

Time Commitment

Although you will be committing as much or as little time as you can to the role, it would be desirable for you to spend a minimum of three to five hours per month championing the Foundation.

Fees and Expenses

Ambassadors will be paid for their time. This payment is assessed against the level of time, level of interaction, skillset and other factors. Out-of-pocket expenses will be agreed in advance.

From time to time, you will be invited to deliver work on a professional paid basis too.

How to Apply

To arrange an initial conversation or for further information, please contact Sarah Nelson, CEO of Foundation for Future London at sarahnelson@future.london

To apply, please email your CV and cover letter stating why you want to apply to be an ambassador and what you would bring to our organisation.

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