Honorary Fellows

Honorary Fellows are distinguished individuals granted special recognition for their achievements or their service to the College.

Many are former students who have excelled in their chosen fields, while others are eminent figures with strong connections to Magdalene. This category also includes former Masters of the College, whose leadership has shaped its development.

Honorary Fellows

Please find below the Honorary Fellows of Magdalene College, ordered by date of admission.

1984
HRH The Duke of Gloucester (1963), KG, GCVO, MA

The Duke of Gloucester is a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II and a full-time working member of the Royal Family. In support of The King and his role as Head of State, he represents the Crown at engagements across the United Kingdom and overseas. He also undertakes a wide range of public duties each year, reflecting his longstanding interests and the charitable organisations with which he is associated.

1992
Professor Sir David Hopwood (1956), MA, PhD, DSc, FRS

Professor Sir David Hopwood FRS is a pioneering British microbiologist and geneticist whose research transformed the understanding of Streptomyces, the group of soil bacteria responsible for producing many of the world's antibiotics. A former John Innes Professor of Genetics and Head of Genetics at the John Innes Centre, he played a leading role in developing the genetic tools that made it possible to engineer antibiotic-producing bacteria and helped lay the foundations for modern microbial genomics. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1979 and was knighted for services to genetics and microbiology in 1994.

1999
Mr John Simpson (1963) CBE, MA, FRGS

Mr John Simpson CBE is one of Britain's most distinguished journalists and foreign correspondents. After joining the BBC in 1966, he went on to report from more than 120 countries and cover many of the defining international events of the past six decades. As World Affairs Editor for BBC News, he has reported from conflict zones, revolutions and major political developments around the world, earning widespread recognition for his insightful and authoritative reporting. He remains one of the most recognisable figures in British broadcast journalism.

2001
Professor Sir Richard Jolly (1953), KCMG, MA, PhD

Professor Sir Richard Jolly is a leading British development economist whose career has had a significant impact on international development policy and humanitarian work. A Member of Magdalene College, Cambridge, he served as an Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and held senior roles at UNICEF and UNDP. He played a key role in developing the influential Human Development Reports and has been widely recognised for championing policies focused on poverty reduction, child welfare and human development around the world. He was knighted in 2001 for services to international development.

2005
Professor Sir David C Clary (1983), ScD, FRS

Professor Sir David C Clary FRS is one of Britain's leading theoretical chemists, renowned for his pioneering research into the quantum mechanics of chemical reactions. A former Fellow and Senior Tutor of Magdalene College, Cambridge, he later became President of Magdalen College, Oxford and Professor of Chemistry at the University of Oxford. Beyond his academic achievements, he served as the first Chief Scientific Adviser to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, helping to strengthen the role of science in diplomacy and international policy. He was knighted in 2016 for services to international science.

2005
The Right Honourable the Lord Malloch-Brown, KCMG, PC, MA

The Right Honourable The Lord Malloch-Brown is a British diplomat, international development specialist and former politician whose career has spanned journalism, global governance and public service. He served as Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations under Kofi Annan, having previously led the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). He later served as the UK's Minister of State for Africa and the United Nations and has held senior leadership roles in international philanthropy and development organisations. 

2005
Mr Robert Cripps AM

Mr Robert Cripps AM is an Australian businessman and philanthropist whose charitable work has supported education, medical research, the arts and community initiatives in both Australia and the United Kingdom. A member of the prominent Cripps family, he has continued a long tradition of philanthropy through substantial support for universities, cultural institutions and charitable foundations. His contributions have helped fund major projects and create opportunities for future generations, reflecting a lifelong commitment to public benefit and social good. A keen art collector, he has also supported the visual arts, and the Robert Cripps Gallery at Magdalene College is named in his honour in recognition of his generosity and support.

2009
The Right Honourable Lord Justice Morritt (1958), PC, CVO, MA

The Right Honourable Lord Justice Morritt, Sir Andrew Morritt CVO, is a distinguished former judge who served at the highest levels of the judiciary in England and Wales. Educated at Magdalene College, Cambridge, he was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1962 and became a Queen's Counsel in 1977. He went on to serve as a Justice of the High Court, a Lord Justice of Appeal and, from 2000 to 2013, as head of the Chancery Division, first as Vice-Chancellor and later as Chancellor of the High Court. He is widely respected for his contributions to the development of English commercial and property law.

2009
Mr Roger Vignoles (1962), BA, MusB, FRCM, HonRCM, Hon RAM

Mr Roger Vignoles is one of Britain's most distinguished pianists and accompanists, celebrated internationally for his partnership with many of the world's leading singers. After reading Music at Magdalene he trained at the Royal College of Music and went on to build a career spanning more than five decades. Renowned for his expertise in song accompaniment, he has performed at major venues including Carnegie Hall, the Concertgebouw and Wigmore Hall, and has worked with artists including Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Sir Thomas Allen and Mark Padmore. Alongside his performing career, he has played an important role in training and mentoring future generations of singers and pianists.

2009
The Honourable Yan-Lung Wong (1983) GBM, SC, MA, JP

The Honourable Wong Yan-lung GBM, SC is a distinguished Hong Kong barrister and former Secretary for Justice of Hong Kong, a position he held from 2005 to 2012. A Member of Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he studied law as a Prince Philip Scholar, he rose from modest beginnings to become one of Hong Kong's leading legal figures. Called to the Bar in both England and Wales and Hong Kong in 1987, he later became a Senior Counsel and the youngest person to serve as Hong Kong's Secretary for Justice. He is widely respected for his commitment to the rule of law, public service and legal education.

2012
Mr Khoon Hong Kuok, BA, Pepys Benefactor Fellow

Mr Khoon Hong Kuok is a Singaporean businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist best known as the co-founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Wilmar International, one of Asia's leading agribusiness companies. A Member and Honorary Fellow of Magdalene College, Cambridge, he has played a significant role in the development of the food and agricultural sectors across Asia, helping to build a business with operations spanning cultivation, processing, manufacturing and distribution. Alongside his business achievements, he has supported a range of educational and charitable initiatives, particularly in Singapore, China and Indonesia.

2015
Professor Dame Sarah Springman (1988) DBE, PhD, FREng

Professor Dame Sarah Springman DBE FREng is a British-Swiss civil engineer, academic and former international triathlete. A pioneering geotechnical engineer, she served as Rector of ETH Zurich, one of the world's leading universities for science and technology. Alongside her distinguished academic career, she represented Great Britain in triathlon, won three European titles and played a key role in securing the sport's inclusion in the Olympic Games. She is currently Principal of St Hilda's College, Oxford.

2015
Mr Chris I von Christierson (1969), BCom, MA

Mr Chris I von Christierson is a entrepreneur, philanthropist and Honorary Fellow of Magdalene College, Cambridge. Born in South Africa, he built a distinguished international career in the mining sector, founding and leading companies involved in the development of major mining projects across Europe and Africa. Alongside his business activities, he has been a committed supporter of education and conservation initiatives. In collaboration with Magdalene College and the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust, he helped establish the Mandela Magdalene Scholarships, which have enabled dozens of African students to undertake postgraduate study at Cambridge. He has also supported environmental and cultural projects through the Watch Hill Foundation.

2015
HRH Sultan Dr Nazrin Shah, BA, PhD

HRH Sultan Nazrin Shah is the 35th Sultan of Perak and Deputy King of Malaysia. Widely respected as a scholar and constitutional monarch, he holds degrees from Oxford University and Harvard University, including a PhD in Political Economy and Government. Since ascending the throne in 2014, he has been a strong advocate for education, interfaith dialogue, good governance and national unity. Beyond his constitutional duties, he has served in international roles including co-chair of the United Nations High-Level Panel on Humanitarian Financing and has been recognised for his contributions to public life and higher education.

2015
Ms Lida Lopes Cardozo Kindersley MBE, Hon LittD

Ms Lida Lopes Cardozo Kindersley MBE is one of Britain's most distinguished letter-cutters, renowned for her mastery of letter carving in stone and for preserving and advancing this traditional craft. Trained at the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague, she joined the workshop of the celebrated sculptor and typographer David Kindersley in Cambridge in 1976, later becoming his creative partner and continuing the work of the internationally acclaimed Cardozo Kindersley Workshop. Her inscriptions, memorials, plaques and sundials can be found across the United Kingdom and beyond, including the gates of the British Library and the memorial stone marking the grave of William Blake. In recognition of her contribution to the craft of letter-cutting, she was appointed MBE in 2015.

2015
Dame Carol Ann Duffy DBE, BA

Dame Carol Ann Duffy DBE is one of the most celebrated poets of her generation and was the first woman, the first Scot and the first openly LGBTQ+ person to serve as Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, holding the role from 2009 to 2019. Alongside her work as a poet and playwright, she has played a significant role in literary education as Professor of Contemporary Poetry and Creative Director of the Manchester Writing School. Her contribution to literature has been recognised through numerous awards and honours, including appointment as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2015.

2018
Mrs Amy Tennent, BA, MIB, Pepys Benefactor Fellow

Mrs Amy Tennent is an Australian businesswoman and philanthropist who serves as a Director of the Cripps Foundation and its associated charitable organisations. She is Chairperson of VIL Ltd, the parent company of the Velcro Group of Companies, and Chairperson of Chartwell Industries Ltd. Alongside her business responsibilities, she has been actively involved in supporting education, cultural preservation and community initiatives. Her philanthropic work has included support for the Neeson Cripps Academy in Cambodia, for which she received the Monisaraphon Medal from the Royal Government of Cambodia in 2017.

2018
Mr Thomas Cripps, BA, MBA, Pepys Benefactor Fellow

Mr Thomas Cripps is a businessman and philanthropist associated with the Cripps Foundation, one of the most significant charitable foundations supporting education, healthcare, cultural institutions and community initiatives. As a member of the Cripps family, he continues a long tradition of philanthropy established by earlier generations, whose charitable giving has supported universities, schools, hospitals and museums for more than half a century.

2020
The Right Reverend and Right Honourable the Lord Williams of Oystermouth (2013), PC, DD, Hon DCL, FBA

The Right Reverend and Right Honourable the Lord Williams of Oystermouth, Rowan Williams, is a Welsh Anglican bishop, theologian, poet and academic who served as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury from 2002 to 2012. Widely regarded as one of the most influential Christian thinkers of the modern era, he has written extensively on theology, philosophy, ethics and spirituality. Before becoming Archbishop of Canterbury, he served as Archbishop of Wales and Bishop of Monmouth. Following his retirement from ecclesiastical office, he became Master of Magdalene College serving from 2013 to 2020. An accomplished scholar and author, he has continued to contribute to public debate on religion, education and social issues both in the United Kingdom and internationally.

2020
Professor the Lady Williams of Oystermouth (2013), MA

Professor the Lady Williams of Oystermouth, Jane Williams, is a distinguished Anglican theologian, author and educator. Educated at Clare College, Cambridge, she has built a career in theological scholarship, publishing and higher education, serving as a lecturer at St Mellitus College and as a visiting lecturer at King's College London. An accomplished writer, she has authored numerous books and study guides on Christian theology, spirituality and biblical interpretation, helping to make complex theological ideas accessible to a wide audience. Through her teaching, writing and public engagement, she has become a respected voice in contemporary Anglican thought.

2020
The Rt Hon the Baroness Hale of Richmond DBE, LLB, Hon FBA

The Rt Hon the Baroness Hale of Richmond DBE is one of the most influential figures in the history of the British judiciary. A graduate of Girton College, Cambridge, she became the first woman appointed to the Law Commission, the first woman Lord of Appeal in Ordinary and the first female Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. From 2017 to 2020 she served as President of the Supreme Court, becoming the first woman to hold the highest judicial office in the United Kingdom. Renowned for her expertise in family law, social welfare law and human rights, she has played a pivotal role in shaping modern British law and advancing the position of women within the legal profession.

2020
Mr Michael Newell (1960), BA

Mr Michael Newell is an acclaimed British film and television director whose work has spanned more than six decades. After reading English at Magdalene College, he began his career in television before establishing himself as one of Britain's most successful film directors. He is best known for directing the internationally acclaimed romantic comedy Four Weddings and a Funeral, for which he won the BAFTA Award for Best Direction, as well as major films including Donnie Brasco, Mona Lisa Smile and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Renowned for his versatility across genres, he has been a significant figure in both British and international cinema.

2020
The Very Reverend Dr David M Hoyle (1988) KCVO MBE, MA, PhD, FSA

The Very Reverend Dr David M Hoyle KCVO MBE is an Anglican priest, theologian and academic who has served as the 39th Dean of Westminster since 2019. Educated at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, he later completed his doctoral studies at Magdalene and went on to serve as Fellow, Chaplain, Dean of Chapel and Director of Studies in Theology at the College. Before his appointment to Westminster Abbey, he was Dean of Bristol from 2010 to 2019. As Dean of Westminster, he has officiated at some of the most significant national occasions in recent British history, including the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the Coronation of King Charles III. He is also a published author with a longstanding interest in theology, ministry and church governance.

2020
Ms Katie Derham (1988), MA

Ms Katie Derham is an award-winning broadcaster and journalist best known for her work with BBC Radio 3 and as the principal presenter of the BBC Proms. A Member of Magdalene College, where she studied Economics, she began her career in financial journalism before becoming one of the youngest national news presenters in Britain during her time with ITV News. Since returning to the BBC in 2010, she has become one of the country's most recognisable voices in classical music broadcasting, presenting major arts and cultural programmes on television and radio. Known for her ability to make classical music accessible to wide audiences, she has played an important role in promoting the arts to the public.

2021
Mr Mark Moorman (1987), BA, MA, MPhil, Pepys Benefactor Fellow

Mr Mark Moorman is a philanthropist and Pepys Benefactor Fellow of Magdalene College. He studied for an MPhil in the History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge and has maintained a longstanding association with Magdalene through his support of the College and wider University. Together with his wife, Mrs Cameil Moorman, he was admitted to the University of Cambridge Guild of Benefactors in recognition of outstanding philanthropic contributions and sustained support for academic excellence. His interests include philosophy, the history of ideas and the philosophy of science.

2021
Mr Alex Schultz (2000), MSci, MA, Pepys Benefactor Fellow

Mr Alex Schultz is a technology executive and business leader who serves as Meta's first Chief Data Officer. Since joining the company in 2007, he has played a central role in the growth of Facebook, Instagram and Messenger. He previously served as Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of Analytics at Meta, where he led global marketing, insights and data science teams, and oversaw the company's transition from Facebook to Meta in 2021. 

2024
Mr Philip Carne (1958) MBE, MA, Pepys Benefactor Fellow

Mr Philip Carne MBE is a businessman and philanthropist whose charitable work has had a transformative impact on education and the performing arts. After studying Modern and Medieval Languages at Magdalene he had a distinguished international career with Johnson & Johnson, where he became Company Group Chairman. In 2006, he established the Richard Carne Trust in memory of his son, supporting talented young musicians, actors and playwrights through bursaries and financial assistance. His contributions to the arts have been widely recognised, including the Prince of Wales Medal for Arts Philanthropy, an MBE and numerous honorary fellowships.

2024
Professor Peter Friend (1972), MA, MD

Professor Peter Friend is one of the United Kingdom's leading transplant surgeons and researchers. A specialist in liver and organ transplantation, he is Emeritus Professor of Transplantation at the University of Oxford and Director of the Oxford Transplant Centre. His pioneering work has focused on improving organ preservation and transplantation techniques, particularly through the development of machine perfusion technologies that increase the viability of donor organs and improve transplant outcomes. Before moving to Oxford in 1999, he served as Clinical Director of the Cambridge Transplant Unit and was a Fellow and Director of Studies in Medicine at Magdalene.

2024
Professor Timothy Leighton (1982), MA, ScD, FRS, FREng, FMedSci

Professor Timothy Leighton is a physicist, engineer and inventor whose pioneering research in acoustics has transformed fields ranging from medicine and oceanography to environmental science and space exploration. He is internationally recognised for his work on the physics of bubbles and ultrasound, which has led to advances in medical imaging, organ treatment, sonar technology, carbon capture monitoring and infection prevention. A Fellow of the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Academy of Medical Sciences, he has combined fundamental scientific research with practical innovation, developing technologies that have had significant real-world impact.

2024
Professor Chris Lintott (1999), BA, PhD, FRAS

Professor Chris Lintott is an acclaimed astrophysicist, broadcaster and science communicator whose work has transformed public engagement with astronomy. He is Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Oxford and is best known to television audiences as the principal presenter of the BBC's long-running astronomy programme The Sky at Night. He is also the co-founder of Galaxy Zoo and a leading figure behind Zooniverse, the world's largest citizen science platform, which enables millions of volunteers to contribute directly to scientific research.

2024
Professor Rosalind Rickaby (1992) OBE, MA, PhD, FRS

Professor Rosalind Rickaby OBE is a leading geochemist and climate scientist whose research has transformed understanding of the interactions between life, the oceans and Earth's climate through geological time. She is Chair of Geology at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of the Royal Society. Her pioneering work combines biology, chemistry and Earth sciences to investigate how marine organisms influence the carbon cycle, ocean chemistry and climate, helping to improve our understanding of both past climate change and potential solutions for the future. She has received numerous international awards for her contributions to biogeochemistry and was appointed OBE for services to the field.

2024
Dame Rachel Whiteread DBE

Dame Rachel Whiteread DBE is one of Britain's most influential contemporary artists and sculptors. Best known for her innovative casts of everyday objects, rooms and buildings, her work explores themes of memory, absence and the spaces people inhabit. She rose to international prominence with works such as Ghost and House, the latter becoming one of the most discussed public artworks of its generation. In 1993, she became the first woman to win the prestigious Turner Prize, and she later represented Britain at the Venice Biennale. Her major public commissions include the Judenplatz Holocaust Memorial in Vienna and Untitled Monument for the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square. She was appointed DBE in 2019 for services to art.

2026
Mr Montagu Don (1976) OBE, DL, VMH

Mr Monty Don OBE is Britain's best-known horticulturist, broadcaster and gardening writer. He is best known as the long-standing lead presenter of the BBC's Gardeners' World, through which he has inspired generations of gardeners with his practical, thoughtful and environmentally conscious approach to horticulture. Alongside his broadcasting career, he is the author of more than 25 books on gardening and has presented acclaimed series exploring gardens and gardening traditions around the world, including in Italy, France, Japan and the United States. Widely respected for his advocacy of sustainable gardening and his ability to make gardening accessible to all, he has become one of the most influential figures in British horticulture.

2026
Ms Fuchsia Dunlop (1988), BA, MA

Ms Fuchsia Dunlop is an acclaimed food writer, cook and authority on Chinese cuisine whose work has transformed international understanding of Chinese food and culinary culture. She studied English literature at Magdalene before pursuing Chinese language and culinary studies, including professional training at the Sichuan Higher Institute of Cuisine in Chengdu. Fluent in Chinese and widely recognised as one of the world's foremost interpreters of Chinese gastronomy, she has spent more than three decades researching, documenting and sharing regional Chinese food traditions. Her award-winning books, including Shark's Fin and Sichuan Pepper, The Food of Sichuan and Invitation to a Banquet, have earned international acclaim and helped bring authentic Chinese cooking to a global audience.

2026
The Very Reverend Professor David Fergusson (2022) OBE, MA, BD, DPhil, FRSE, FBA

The Very Reverend Professor David Fergusson OBE is one of Britain's leading theologians and a distinguished minister of the Church of Scotland. Since 2021 he has served as Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Cambridge, one of the oldest and most prestigious professorships in the University. He previously held the Chair of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh, where he also served as Principal of New College and Vice-Principal of the University. His scholarly work has made major contributions to Christian doctrine, philosophical theology and the history of Scottish theology. In addition to his academic career, he serves as Dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland and Dean of the Order of the Thistle, and was appointed OBE for services to education, the arts and the Church.

2026
Sir Loyd Grossman (2008) CBE, BA, MSc, MPhil, PhD, FSA, FRSA, FSAS, FRHistS, FRSM

Sir Loyd Grossman CBE is an author, broadcaster, entrepreneur and one of Britain's leading advocates for the arts and heritage. Best known to television audiences as the presenter of MasterChef and Through the Keyhole, he has enjoyed a diverse career spanning journalism, broadcasting, business and cultural leadership. He has played a prominent role in the preservation and promotion of Britain's cultural heritage through organisations including English Heritage, The Royal Parks, the Royal Society of Arts and the Heritage Alliance. He was appointed CBE for services to heritage and was knighted in 2025.

2026
Sir Grayson Perry CBE, BA, RA, Hon FRIBA

Sir Grayson Perry CBE is one of Britain's most celebrated contemporary artists, renowned for his ceramics, tapestries, printmaking and incisive exploration of identity, class, gender and social change. He rose to national prominence in 2003 when he became the first ceramic artist to win the prestigious Turner Prize, and has since become one of the most influential figures in British culture. Through both his art and his broadcasting work, he has challenged conventional boundaries between fine art and craft while engaging wide audiences in conversations about society, taste and belonging. His works are held in major collections including the Tate, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the British Museum. He was knighted for services to the arts.

Please note that this list only includes living Honorary Fellows.