Somerville College is delighted to announce that Catherine Royle will become our thirteenth Principal, replacing Baroness Jan Royall, whose tenure comes to an end this autumn.
Catherine Royle was an undergraduate at Somerville and is an Honorary Fellow of the college. She joins Somerville from NATO, where she has been Political Adviser to the Commander at Joint Force Command Brunssum since 2015, following a long career as a British diplomat. Her diplomatic career included working in Chile, Dublin, Buenos Aires, Venezuela, and Kabul. She joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1986 following studies a BA in PPE at Somerville, and a MscEcon in Strategic Studies at the University of Wales. During her time at NATO, Catherine’s work focused on Afghanistan, and she has been actively involved in the defence planning for Eastern Europe since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Outgoing Principal, Baroness Jan Royall, commented that, ‘It is a huge pleasure to welcome Catherine Royle as the next Principal of Somerville. As an alumna and Honorary Fellow, she knows that she will be joining an extraordinary community with brilliant academics, fantastic support staff and wonderful students. Following a remarkable career as a diplomat, she will do a superb job of guiding the College through the many challenges facing Oxford and the wider world as well as enabling the College and its members to grasp a myriad of opportunities. I am delighted to be passing the baton to Catherine whose energy and deep commitment to academic excellence and inclusivity will ensure that the College thrives, bringing hope to current and future generations.’
Catherine Royle responded to her appointment, saying, ‘I couldn’t be more grateful and honoured to have the chance to return to Somerville as Principal. The College gave me the skills and confidence to set off on an exciting professional life; I hope I can use my new role to support everyone in the community that makes up Somerville to achieve their goals too.’
Thank you to our Vice-Principal, Benjamin Thompson, Phil West, Chair of the Principalian appointment committee and its members, and all members of Governing Body who contributed to this process.