Christopher Patten, Lord Patten of Barnes, has announced that he will retire as Chancellor of the University of Oxford at the end of the 2023-24 academic year. He has been Chancellor since March 2003.

Lord Patten said: ‘This year, I will have my 80th birthday in May. I hope that there will be many more birthdays to come. But I am unlikely to have another 21 years in the job as Chancellor of the University.

‘I think it is in my own interest and that of the University for me to step down at the end of this academic year, giving the University the opportunity to plan a sensible succession which matches the demands of the 2020s. I say this with a heavy heart, trusting that I will still be able to work for Oxford University (which I love) from time to time.

‘The University of Oxford has been a hugely important part of my life. I think it is true to say that Oxford as a whole made me, not just because of the three happy years I spent there as a student, but because of what Oxford has continued to mean to me over the years right up to the present day.’

Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University, said: ‘Over the past 21 years, Lord Patten has been an extraordinarily active and committed Chancellor, engaging in as many as 60 international events per year on the University’s behalf, tirelessly championing Oxford at home and abroad. While his incomparable dedication will be sorely missed by the University, it is entirely understandable that he should want to take a step back at this time, as he approaches his 80th birthday.

‘I am personally grateful for his wise and steadfast support to me as I navigated the transition to becoming VC.

‘On behalf of thousands of alumni, students and staff and the many people whose lives have been changed by the University’s work, I thank Chris, and also his wife Lavender, for their service and wish them well in a richly deserved retirement.’

The University expects to be able to share further information about the next steps soon, as well as to provide opportunities for comments and questions.

About the role of Chancellor

The Chancellor is the titular head of the University and presides over several key ceremonies. The Chancellor chairs the Committee to Elect the Vice-Chancellor. In addition to these formal duties, the Chancellor undertakes advocacy, advisory and fundraising work, acting as an ambassador for the University at a range of national and international events.

The election of the Chancellor

The process and timetable for the election of the Chancellor by members of the University’s Convocation will be announced in due course.

In November 2022 we had two stunning dinner events with our fabulous guest of honour Professor Dr Christopher McKenna who presented the case study “Family Business, Corporate Reputation, and the Evolution of the English Wine Trade”.

The Chancellor of Oxford University, Lord Patten of Barnes, who chaired the Nominating Committee, said: ‘Irene Tracey was born in Oxford and educated at a local comprehensive and Oxford University, for which she has now been proposed as the next Vice-Chancellor. It is an extraordinary story of personal achievement, social mobility and academic excellence. I doubt whether anyone knows more about the University and all its aspects than today’s Warden of Merton. She also, as an internationally recognised scientist, has considerable experience at home and abroad. I am sure she will build successfully on the outstanding achievements of Louise Richardson and lead Oxford in coping with the big challenges which lie ahead.’

Read the full article here.

WELCOMING ST HILDA’S NEW PRINCIPAL

‘What the college stands for is very important to me. Excellence and equality have been significant driving motivations throughout my career.’

Professor Dame Sarah Springman was awarded a DBE for services to engineering and services to international sports administration in the 2022 New Year Honours. Exactly a month later she formally took up her post as the new Principal of St Hilda’s.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW

https://alumni.ox.ac.uk/article/welcoming-a-new-principal-to-st-hildas

Swiss Friends of Oxford (SFOU) has successfully completed its fourth full year of operation.
During 2021 SFOU has reached some significant milestones. It has already facilitated over
CHF 4,500,000 in donations to Oxford University, its colleges and departments and
distributed over CHF 5,000 in scholarship funds to Swiss-based students applying to Oxford.
SFOU has grown its membership to 64 and has expanded its board by appointing Maria
Mavridoglou and Anne Kriken Mann.

President of the Association Howard Rosen said: ‘It’s an important part of our mission that
50% of our membership fees are allocated to support Swiss-based students studying at
Oxford. Switzerland is one of the philanthropic centres of the world and has detailed rules on
the establishment and purposes of tax-exempt organisations. As such, SFOU permits Oxford
University alumni and others based in Switzerland to make gifts and leave legacies in a tax
efficient way as charitable donations to Oxford.’

Board member Guy Spier noted: ‘We now have a platform from which to give back to
Oxford University, which has made such a difference to all our lives. As we look to the
future, there will be many more opportunities to increase awareness of Oxford and help the
next generation experience the same opportunities that we enjoyed.’

‘The most satisfying part of being a member of SFOU,’ said board member John Rolley, ’is
the support we can give directly to students. Working with Oxford we have already identified
students who are candidates for financial support, and the numbers we award scholarships to
will only grow as we spread the word.’

A spokesperson from Oxford University, said: ‘SFOU is a wonderful model for other nonprofits, started by alumni with the objective of giving back to their university.
Colleagues across the University and colleges were impressed when they started the association and are even more impressed that it has become a success, in spite of the pandemic. We are enormously grateful to the membership of SFOU for all their hard work and dedication.’

To find out more about the Swiss Friends of Oxford University, please visit the SFOU
website: www.oxfordfriends.ch or e-mail: info@oxfordfriends.ch