The Principal, Lord Woolley, will be sworn in this evening as an Honorary Fellow at Magdalen College, Oxford.
In his former role leading Operation Black Vote, Lord Woolley worked closely with Magdalen on the Pathway to Success Leadership and Development Programme. Developed in collaboration with the House of Commons, Lloyds Banking Group and the Blavatnik School of Government, the initiative was launched in 2019 to support future leaders from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds. It includes a six-day residential workshop, and a year-long mentoring programme supported by Magdalen alumni working in business and politics.
Magdalen President Dinah Rose said of Lord Woolley's election: “I am delighted to welcome our Honorary Fellow Lord Woolley, an inspirational and deeply-valued friend of the College. We look forward to the continued flourishing of our partnership, which has brought such great benefits to the College community.”
Lord Woolley's admission ceremony will take place this evening in the College's 15th century chapel.
"A few years back, I proposed a BAME political leadership programme to both Magdalen College and the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University," the Principal recalled. "I informed them that with their support it would be the UK's gold standard leadership programme. Thankfully they agreed, and it is. For that, and for 25 years of fighting for social and racial justice, today I'll be inducted as an Honorary Fellow, joining the Magdalen family of notables such as Oscar Wilde, Lawrence of Arabia, and the first female President of the College, Dinah Rose. No pressure! It's a great honour."
