Ms Jill Gallard CMG CVO Appointed Next Master of Magdalene College

Magdalene College is pleased to announce that Ms Jill Gallard CMG CVO has been appointed as the next Master of Magdalene College.

Ms Gallard brings to the role a distinguished record of leadership and public service gained over more than thirty years in the Diplomatic Service. Most recently, she served as the British Ambassador to Germany from 2020 to 2024, having previously served as the British Ambassador to Portugal and having held senior leadership positions in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, including Director of Human Resources, looking after thousands of diplomatic staff around the world, and Deputy Political Director.

Throughout her career, Ms Gallard has combined public service with a commitment to developing people, organisations and communities. She has led large and diverse teams, represented the United Kingdom internationally at the highest levels, and earned a reputation for thoughtful leadership, effective communication and bringing people together in pursuit of common goals. She currently serves as a Trustee of the Imperial War Museum and as a Non-Executive Council Member of Lancaster University.

As Head of House, the Master plays a central role in advancing the College's academic mission, supporting its people and helping to shape its future development. Ms Gallard joins Magdalene at an important moment in the College's history as it prepares to celebrate the 600th anniversary of its original foundation in 1428. Building on the achievements of successive Masters, Fellows, students and staff, Magdalene continues to nurture a community in which academic excellence, intellectual curiosity and mutual support go hand in hand. The College's ambition is to provide an environment in which every member can contribute, develop and thrive.

The President, Dr Nick Carroll, who led the selection process, said:

"It is a great pleasure to announce the appointment of Jill Gallard to the post of Master of Magdalene College. She has an enormous wealth of leadership experience from her time in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office having held very senior roles including having served as the former Ambassador to both Germany and Portugal.

She will bring to Magdalene a strong sense of purpose and an ability to engage directly with those around her, with dynamism and empathy, to achieve our common goals.

I look forward to working with her as Magdalene progresses into our seventh century."

The Senior Tutor, Professor Stuart Martin, said:

"The appointment of Jill Gallard to the Mastership is inspiring news for Magdalene as we prepare to celebrate the 600th anniversary of our foundation in 1428.

She joins us at a pivotal moment as we seek to build on our academic achievements and invest in the future of the College. Together, we will strengthen and renew the Fellowship through new teaching appointments, expand support for students through undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships, and realise the full cultural and intellectual potential of the New Library and the refurbished Pepys Building. We also look forward to continuing investment in our facilities and accommodation for future generations.

I am delighted to welcome Jill to the College and look forward to working with her to ensure that Magdalene continues to flourish as an outstanding environment for teaching, learning and research."

The Master-Elect, Ms Jill Gallard, said:

"I am delighted to have been appointed the next - and first female - Master. I feel honoured to be entrusted with leading Magdalene through our 600-year anniversary in 2028 and beyond. I look forward to playing my part in ensuring this wonderful community continues to thrive and flourish. I am grateful to Sir Christopher Greenwood, the Governing Body, the Fellowship, staff and students for all they do to make Magdalene such an inclusive, inspiring environment of academic excellence."

Ms Gallard will take up the Mastership on 1 October 2027. The College looks forward to welcoming her as its 37th Master building further on its traditions of academic excellence, intellectual curiosity and community, while continuing to support future generations of students, Fellows and staff.