I am standing to be the Chancellor because I believe as one of the world’s leading universities, Cambridge must not just respond to today’s challenges but lead with courage, integrity, and heart.

As a respected businesswoman, campaigner, and philanthropist, I’ve spent my life speaking truth to power. From defending democracy in the Supreme Court to challenging unethical financial systems, I have championed transparency, fairness, and accountability. I would bring this principled spirit to the role of Chancellor.

While traditionally symbolic, I believe the Chancellorship is integral to culture and leadership at Cambridge. My experience and reputation across sectors and global audiences – as well as my passion and determination – enables me to elevate Cambridge’s voice on the world stage, advise senior leadership and uphold the university’s values. I would be an active advocate, bridge-builder, and catalyst for Cambridge’s success.

I’ve had the privilege of speaking at Cambridge events in recent years. The energy, curiosity, and shared desire to make a difference were palpable. It’s clear the university’s students and staff are ready to lead – you deserve a Chancellor who reflects that passion and potential.

The nomination support I’ve received has been humbling and wide-ranging: young alumni, academics, and politicians across disciplines and generations. A diversity that signals a collective appetite for inclusive, forward-thinking leadership. Electing the first woman to the role – while not essential – would be powerful and symbolic, affirming Cambridge’s commitment to modernity and equality.

At this defining moment, when trust in institutions is eroding, and authoritarianism and anti-intellectualism are on the rise, Cambridge must be a global champion of academic freedom, truth, and excellence. I have never been blinded by the status quo and conflicts of interest - and would not be as Chancellor.

For more than 30 years, I’ve promoted responsible capitalism, supporting education, justice, mental health, and the arts. I believe those who succeed have a duty to give back. I have sought to do this through my actions and compassion, resulting in a proven track record of reform:

  • Helped secure special needs provisions in the 1996 Education Act
  • Campaigned for eradication of slavery and human trafficking in businesses and supply chains
  • Advocated for transparency through three EU Financial Directives
  • Dispelled the stigma around domestic violence and coercive behaviour
  • Successfully defended Parliament twice in the Supreme Court

Cambridge must lead with that same moral purpose.

The university has the research strength, intellectual power, and global standing to address climate change, inequality, technological disruption, and threats to democracy. However, it must be led by its ethical standards, values and principles, not prestige when it comes to funding and partnerships.

To those eligible to vote in the Chancellor election, I urge you to see this as an opportunity for bold, values-led leadership. Together, we can champion innovation, social progress, empower students to thrive, strengthen governance and sustainable funding, as well as defend civil discourse, fairness, and democratic principles.

It would be an honour to help Cambridge University shine brighter as a beacon of truth, hope, and enlightenment.

Supporters 

  • Verity Ali
  • Joan Bakewell
  • Sarah Barden
  • Bryony Bethell
  • E Blaus
  • Anthony Charnley
  • C J Coleridge
  • David Dabydeen
  • Josh Dane
  • D A de Cogan
  • Helen Ervin
  • Clare L Guest
  • Stephen P Hardy
  • Jonathan Heawood
  • Christine M Hill
  • Martin Hirst
  • Rob Howlett
  • Penelope Hunter
  • Harry Hyman
  • Ben Jacob
  • Viola King Forbes
  • Naomi Ladenburg
  • Mauricio Lazala Leibovich
  • Preetha McCann
  • Stephen McCrum
  • Sevi Marshall
  • K Dina Medland
  • Michael Roy Mitchell
  • Isabell Moessler Culpan
  • G K Murray
  • R M Myers
  • Robert W Newton
  • Margaret O Carroll
  • Moira O'Neill
  • Morenike Oyenusi
  • Rawle Parris
  • Nicholas Prag
  • Humphrey Pring
  • Steven Purnell
  • Hillary Ray
  • Austin M Richards
  • Timothy Riley
  • Keith Ruddock
  • Michael Sawh
  • Trevor Snape
  • Trevor Soames
  • Jonathan Stokes
  • Nicola Stradling
  • Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho
  • Maxine Taylor
  • James Tickell
  • M D K-E Tischkowitz
  • Lara Tyrrell
  • Robert van Dorp
  • Eibhlin Vardy
  • Anne Waldron
  • Daniel A B Walsh
  • David Walsh
  • Georgia Way
  • Edward Wilford
  • Natasha Wilson
  • Adina Wineman