Sophie Howe

For the last seven years Sophie Howe was the first Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, the only role of its kind in the world. She held Government to account on how their decisions affect future generations, securing policy transformation on climate, education and social justice and influencing other countries to follow suit including advising on governance for future generations at UN level.  Named at number 5 in the BBC Women’s Power List and as by the New Statesman as ‘leading a Welsh approach to saving the world’, she is one of the UK’s Top 100 Changemakers, a Global Ambassador for the Wellbeing Economic Alliance and Anticipatory Governance Adviser with the School of International Futures.

Prior to her role as the Future Generations Commissioner, Sophie was the first Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales and the only woman in a police commissioner leadership role in Wales. Sophie served as a Government Special Adviser from 2009-2013 providing policy and political advice on communities, local government, community safety, housing, regeneration and equality to the Cabinet and First Minister. Sophie served as a County councillor in Cardiff - having been elected at the age of 21 she became the youngest Councillor in Wales. During her nine years as a Councillor she was Deputy Leader of the Opposition for a period, as well as a member of the Children and Young People Scrutiny and Planning Committees.

Known for a being a straight talking and inspirational advocate for sustainability, she is working globally to inspire support and advise other countries in adopting future generations legislation. She supports policy makers, progressive corporations and NGOs to help them to develop sustainability and wellbeing strategies based on future generations thinking.

She is currently a member of the Wales Committee of the Equality and Human Rights Commission and is Chair of the international Network of Institutions for Future Generations. She lives in Cardiff with her husband Ceri and their five children. 

Learn more: https://www.futuregenerations.wales/