The British Ambassador to France, Dame Menna Rawlings, has been elected as the next President of Queens’ College.

On Tuesday morning (03/06), the College stated that it is “delighted to announce that Dame Menna Rawlings has been elected as the next President of Queens’ College,” and that “her recent career reflects a strong dedication to fostering ineternational partnerships, while her personal passions centre on promoting inclusivity and embracing lifelong learning.”

Rawlings said: “I am honoured and delighted to have been elected as the next – and first female – President of Queens’ College. Queens’ is a fantastic place, known for academic excellence, an open, friendly and inclusive culture, and ground-breaking work to increase participation and social mobility.”

“I look forward to nurturing these strengths, ensuring resilience for the future in an uncertain world. And I can’t wait to work with a brilliantt community of leaders and learners who have already made me feel so welcome,” she added.

In 2021, Rawlings was appointed the British Ambassador to the French Republic, forming the first-ever all-female cohort of British ambassadors and high commissioners to G7 nations. Before taking up this role, Rawlings served as Director-General for Economic and Global Issues at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and British High Commissioner to Australia.

In a post on his Instagram account, current President Mohamed El-Erian congratulated Rawlings on becoming President-Elect, stating: “Menna, I wish you every success in what I believe is one of the best jobs in the world, if not the best.”

“Queens’ is full of inspiring and friendly people, has a wonderful mission, and has demonstrated time and time again admirable action-oriented know-how, energy and effectiveness. And it’s lots of fun as well! Wishing you the very best,” El-Erian continued.

Following the end of El-Erian’s term in September, Rawlings will take her post in October. El-Erian, an economist and former CEO of PIMCO, is running to be the Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, and currently leads the race for nominations, with 254 verified nominations, almost double the next candidate at 132.

In April, El-Erian told Varsity that his primary objectives include supporting academic excellence, strengthening the University’s finances, and to support academic freedom and free speech.

Professor Marie Edmonds, who co-led the election process, commented: “We are thrilled to have elected Dame Menna as the first female President of Queens’ College. Dame Menna’s warm leadership style and strong sense of community and inclusion are valued greatly here at Queens.”