Welcome to our new Patron

We are delighted to announce that Stephen Howlett, CBE DL has agreed to become the Patron of The Friends of Greenwich Park.

Stephen has long experience in social housing, education, and public service in London. He has lived in Greenwich since 1971, when he arrived as a student at Thames Polytechnic. He has lived within ten minutes’ walk of Greenwich Park for over 45 years and has been a Member of the Friends for many years.

He was Chief Executive of the Peabody Trust from 2004 to 2017, guiding one of London’s oldest and most significant housing charities. Stephen was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s 2018 New Year’s Honours for his services to housing and has been further honoured with appointments as a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London in 2017 and Representative Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Hackney in June 2021.

Stephen’s interests extend into education and skills supporting local children and young people as Chair and Pro-Chancellor of the University of Greenwich and Chair of London and Southeast Education Group. This has a campus in King George Street, close to the park.

Stephen says “Greenwich Park has been a vital part of my life and that of my family for over 45 years, now including our granddaughters! I am hugely honoured to be asked to be Patron, and I am excitedly looking forward to doing what I can to help the Friends of Greenwich Park.”