Alison Rose will succeed Professor Dame Carol Black as Principal of Newnham College in September 2019.
Alison Rose grew up in Coventry and studied history at Newnham, where she matriculated in 1980. Since 2014, she has been British Ambassador to Belgium.
Her particular expertise is international relations in Europe and the European Union. Her career in the British civil service included eight government departments and a wide range of policies and legislation, including training, employment, transport, equality and heritage.
Commenting on her election, she said: “I am delighted to be returning to Newnham as Principal. As the first in my family to gain a degree, Newnham gave me confidence in my ability to learn at the highest level and to keep on learning.
"The friendships I formed at Cambridge also continue to nourish and challenge me today. I look forward to working with the fellowship, staff and students to lead Newnham in its mission of learning, teaching and research.”
Newnham is one of Cambridge's three women's colleges and will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2021. Current Principal Professor Dame Carol Black has led the College for seven years.
Find out more at www.newn.cam.ac.uk.