I first came to Brasenose from small town Scotland (via a year’s voluntary work in Guatemala) to study law in the 1990s. I spent a lot of time in the Stallybrass law library with my peers, and found time to play chess, debate and sing (with more enthusiasm than skill) in the chapel choir as well as all the BNC traditions like Ascension Day.

I went to the US for postgraduate studies, qualified as a lawyer and worked for some years with Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York and London, before joining the Foreign Office.

My diplomatic career took me to fascinating and complex places, including the EU, Sudan, Lebanon and latterly the Democratic Republic of Congo, as British ambassador. I learned how to lead through uncertainty and change, manage crises, identify and hold on to purpose, bringing people together around shared visions.

I’m delighted to return to Brasenose as Principal, and am enjoying meeting all the members of our community: students, academic and non-academic staff and our alumni, to understand what Brasenose means to you, and explore how best to steward our centuries-old college in the years ahead.