Barbara Chandler was the design writer for Homes & Property at the London Evening Standard for nearly 30 years, known in particular for discovering, fostering and photographing new talent.

In 2021, she founded GREEN GRADS, a unique and innovatory platform for recent UK graduates “with ideas to heal the planet” – from artists increasing awareness to engineers proposing solutions. GREEN GRADS have presented their own hugely-popular shows, initially twice in the Samsung Experience Space at King’s Cross, and then filling an entire floor at The Heal’s Building and latterly at Yorkton Workshops, for a second year running. They have been invited into many other shows, notably the GNCCF in Manchester, Grand Designs Live, Artefact, London Design Week, Clerkenwell Design Week, Craftworks and the Surface Design Show. GREEN GRADS regularly partners with the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School in Islington to provide a full day of eco-activities reaching 360 pupils. 

GREEN GRADS run a regularly updated website with details of all past shows, and full biographies & photos of 200 existing GREEN GRADS. This year GREEN GRADS have added around 50 of a new fifth cohort graduating in 2025. Existing GREEN GRADS have been themselves been diligent ECO-SCOUTS to uncover this latest talent.