Alison Rose (NC 1980) has been chosen by the Fellows as the new Principal-elect of Newnham College, Cambridge.
Alison Rose will join us in September after standing down from her post as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, a post she has held since 2014. She is herself a Newnham alumna, having studied history at the College, matriculating in 1980.
Alison will lead the iconic Cambridge women’s college as it prepares to celebrate its 150th anniversary, in 2021.
Alison says “I am delighted to be returning to Newnham as Principal. I vividly remember walking back to Peile Hall through the horse chestnut trees after my first supervision, glowing with having survived and enjoyed the experience. As the first in my family to gain a degree, Newnham gave me confidence in my ability to learn at the highest level and to keep on learning. The friendships I formed at Cambridge also continue to nourish and challenge me today. I look forward to working with the fellowship, staff and students to lead Newnham in its mission of learning, teaching and research.”
Alison grew up in Coventry and studied history at Newnham College (NC 1980). She will continue her post as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium until summer 2018. Her particular expertise is international relations in Europe and the European Union. She has had a wide ranging career in the British civil service in eight Government Departments, on a wide range of policies and legislation, including training, employment, transport, equality and heritage.
Vice-Principal of Newnham College, Dr Emma Mawdsley, says “We are delighted to welcome Alison Rose back to Newnham as Principal.”