Maro Itoje announced as new ambassador for The King’s Foundation
The King’s Foundation today announces British & Irish Lions, England and Saracens rugby captain Maro Itoje as a new ambassador for the charity.
Maro Itoje has been working with The King’s Foundation as co-founder of the non-profit Akoje Residency since 2024. The collaboration between The King’s Foundation and the Akoje Residency enables up-and-coming African, Caribbean, diaspora and – as of this week – SWANA artists to take part in art residences on site at Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland, headquarters of The King’s Foundation.
“It has been incredibly rewarding to work with The King’s Foundation during my artist residency over the past year, and I’m thrilled to build on that relationship by becoming an Ambassador for the charity. Discovering my passion for art — and the importance of preserving the traditional skills behind it — has been life-changing for me. I’m excited to continue sharing that message through my work with The King’s Foundation.”
Maro Itoje, King’s Foundation Ambassador
“Seeing African art find a home in rural Scotland through the Akoje Residency has been inspiring and I look forward to welcoming the first artists from the SWANA region in July. It’s been a privilege to witness how the artists have been welcomed and have become part of the local community. I’m looking forward to deepening this work in my new role as an Ambassador.”
The Akoje Residency x King’s Foundation Artist in Residence Programme provides a platform for emerging and established artists to develop their craft, create art, and gain awareness of new skills. Artists stay on site at Dumfries House and take inspiration from the surrounding countryside and the estate grounds to create art in their chosen specialism. So far, the residency has welcomed seven artists who have created a range of pieces inspired by the local landscape.
“We have been delighted to work with Maro on the Akoje Residency at Dumfries House over the past year, so it’s fantastic to formally cement his role as an Ambassador for the Foundation. I have personally enjoyed meeting the artists taking part in the residencies and seeing how they have enjoyed living and working on site at the Dumfries house estate. We look forward to building on this existing partnership and working with Maro to raise awareness of the importance of traditional heritage skills for artists and ensuring they are given a platform to create.”
Kristina Murrin CBE, Chief Executive of The King’s Foundation
Maro Itoje joins existing King’s Foundation ambassadors including David Beckham, Sienna Miller, Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster, Alan Titchmarsh, Raymond Blanc, Sarah Beeny, Patrick Grant, George Clarke and Jools Holland.
