A vision for a bold, progressive, and inclusive Cambridge

Cambridge is more than a university – it is a living idea. It speaks through the rustle of books in dawn-lit libraries, in the quiet authority of our porters, the resilience of our cleaners and caterers, the curiosity of our students, and the brilliance of our researchers. It is shaped daily by everyone – from gardeners and lab technicians to professors, deans, and dons.

From my first steps at Trinity, I found not just an education – but a calling. Here, I learned that truth is best pursued in conversation, that rigour and compassion can coexist, and that even the loftiest ideas must eventually serve the world beyond these walls.

I am standing for Chancellor not because Cambridge needs rescuing – but because Cambridge is ready to lead more courageously. We have long been a crucible for world-changing ideas. And now, the world needs us again.

This century will be defined by climate crisis, AI and algorithmic governance, political volatility, and public health challenges. We cannot be bystanders. We must be a conscience. A compass. A catalyst.

I offer leadership grounded in experience and guided by belief. I’ve advised governments on climate and innovation, led billion-pound sustainability initiatives, and chaired global partnerships across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. But I remain, at heart, a scholar and a servant leader – one foot in academia, one foot in the world, and both eyes fixed on the future.

If elected, I will commit to three urgent priorities:

1. Defend the freedom to think – and the right to belong

Cambridge must remain a bastion of free inquiry and fearless thought. I will defend academic freedom – loudly, clearly, and consistently. But freedom is hollow without belonging. I will champion greater inclusion and access—supporting initiatives that welcome talent from every background, postcode, and passport. Because excellence should never be gated.

2. Future-proof Cambridge – financially, sustainably, globally

I bring 25 years of experience in building resilient, ethical institutions. I’ll work with the Vice-Chancellor and Colleges to strengthen endowments, expand scholarships, and fund world-leading infrastructure.

But resilience also means relevance. I’ll help Cambridge lead on sustainability, AI, and global policy – building partnerships that stretch from Cairo to Copenhagen, Nairobi to New York.

3. Reimagine the Chancellorship

The robes matter – but so does what you do in them. I will be a visible, engaged Chancellor – listening to students, staff, Fellows and alumni alike. I’ll celebrate our cleaners and cooks as much as our Nobel laureates. And yes, I’ll happily speak Latin – but I won’t hide behind it.

Why me? I bring the independent voice, the global reach, and the lived experience to champion a university that is outward-looking, climate-conscious, digitally empowered, and fearless in facing the complex challenges ahead.

Together, we can reimagine what it means to be a great university in the modern world – brilliant, just, sustainable, and truly global.

I will stand up for Cambridge. I will stand up for you.

Let’s shape the future – together.

Supporters

  • Enass Abo-Hamed
  • Rami Abu-Rmaileh
  • Ebube Akpamgbo
  • Qais Almeqdad
  • Trivikram Arun Ramanathan
  • Wojciech Basalaj
  • Malcolm Basing
  • Subhajit Bhattacharjee
  • Marco Bonnington-Carter
  • Harmanbir Brar
  • Aubrey Burrows
  • Roderick Cameron
  • Nidal Chamoun
  • Farah Dakhlallah
  • Andreas Demetriades
  • Constantinos Dimitriou
  • Mohammed S El Bachir
  • Peter Featherman
  • Richard John Field
  • Nigel Gallier
  • David Grassick
  • Ashley John Green
  • Jacob Griffin
  • Nitish Gupta
  • Andrew Hagan
  • Ali Hassen
  • Kerry Hawkins
  • Ahmad Helmi
  • David John Leigh
  • Rachit Kapoor
  • Aris Panagiotis Karcanias
  • Muhammad Kiani
  • James W A Kinnaird
  • Thomas McCormick-Cox
  • Muath Masri
  • Brett Miranda
  • Nicholas H G Mitchell
  • Neal Matthew Morgan
  • John Olbrich
  • Dhilan Patel
  • Jonathan Somerville Price
  • Faruq Quadir
  • James Roslington
  • Sukrit Shankar
  • Yongjiang Shi
  • Vural Suicmez
  • Wesley Thevarajah
  • Nicholas Worsley
  • Nigel J B Young
  • Naser Ziadeh