Somerville’s Development Board is a group of committed and dedicated volunteers who have worked closely with the College over a number of years to help the College seek additional support and who advise on key strategic issues concerning future funding. The Board have led by example and all members have supported the Campaign substantially in terms of their time and personal gifts.

Chairs

  • Ayla Busch – 1989 – Co-chair of the Development Board – Co-CEO/Owner, Busch SE and Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board, Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology AG 
  • Sybella Stanley – 1979 – Co-chair of the Development Board – Director of Corporate Finance, RELX Group plc

Members

  • Basma Alireza – 1991 – Co-Founder, Blossom Mothers & Child Limited
  • Judith Buttigieg – 1988 – Chief Executive Officer, Aviva International Insurance Ltd
  • Sophie Forsyth – 1989 – Legal adviser
  • Lynn Haight – 1966 – Chief Financial Officer and Chief Membership Officer, Foresters Securities (Canada) Inc
  • Niels Kroninger – 1996 – Founder/Managing Director, Green Hedge Energy and Chairman, AEE Renewables plc
  • Victoria Maltby – 1974 – Somerville Foundation Fellow, qualified solicitor and former member of the Council, Girls’ Day School Trust.
  • Nicola Ralston – 1974 – Director and Co-Founder, PiRho Investment Consulting, Non-Executive Director, Honorary Fellow
  • Judith Unwin – 1973 – International banker and Chair of Contemporary Applied Arts

Honorary Development Board Members

  • Tom Bolt – Managing Director, Berkshire Hathaway Group (European Division)
  • Doreen Boyce – 1953 – Former President of The Buhl Foundation; Former Chair, Franklin and Marshall College Board of Trustees; Honorary Fellow (USA)
  • Paddy Crossley – 1956 – Former Company Director, Earnshaw Limited
  • Clara Freeman OBE – 1971 – Former Executive Director of Stores and Personnel, Marks & Spencer and Deputy Chairman of the University of the Arts, London, Honorary Fellow
  • Sam Gyimah – 1995 – Politician
  • Margaret Kenyon – 1959 – Former Headmistress, Withington Girls’ School, Manchester, Honorary Fellow
  • Harriet Maunsell OBE – 1962 – Former Chairman of the Development Board, – former Lawyer; former regulator; Non-Executive Director, Pension Insurance Corporation; Honorary Fellow
  • Nadine Majaro – 1975 – Chartered Accountant; former Partner, Price Waterhouse Coopers and member of the CAF Venturesome Investment Committee
  • Hilary Newiss – 1974 – lawyer and former partner in Denton Hall solicitors
  • Roger Pilgrim – Chartered Accountant; Partner, Charterhouse Capital Partners LLP
  • Sian Thomas Marshall – 1989 – Owner, CORE

The Development Office

Alex Turchyn

Alumni Database Manager
Learn More Alex Turchyn

Rebecca Coker

Senior Development Executive
Learn More Rebecca Coker

Amelia Smart

Development Assistant
Learn More Amelia Smart

Sara Kalim

Fellow and Director of Development
Learn More Sara Kalim

Lisa Gygax

Joint Secretary of the Somerville Association
Learn More Lisa Gygax

Clare Finch

Deputy Director of Development (Operations)
Learn More Clare Finch

Jessica Mannix

Director, Margaret Thatcher Scholarship Trust and Campaign Director
Learn More Jessica Mannix

Jackie Yip

Regular Giving and Alumni Relations Executive
Learn More Jackie Yip

Matt Phipps

Head of Communications
Learn More Matt Phipps