The University of Oxford Alumni Board
The University of Oxford Alumni Board exists to strengthen the connection between our alumni community and the University.
Oxford’s alumni play a vital role in advancing the University’s mission — contributing through leadership, advocacy, mentorship, philanthropy, and global engagement. The Alumni Board reflects our commitment to building a structured and strategic approach to this relationship, ensuring that alumni expertise and perspectives inform our work in meaningful and impactful ways.
The Board supports the University’s strategic priorities and maximises the contribution of alumni to the life of Oxford. Its members serve in recognition of their professional distinction and their expertise in areas aligned with the University’s Strategic Plan 2025–30, including a focus on climate and sustainability; health; society, community and citizenship; access and outreach; and innovation and entrepreneurship. Bringing together experience across these themes will enable the Board to provide informed insight, constructive challenge and valuable connections in support of the University’s ambitions.
Board members:
Professor Sir Chris Whitty FRS – Chair (Pembroke, 1985)
Emma Pinchbeck (Corpus Christi, 2006)
Dr Felicia Shaw (St Edmund Hall, 2002)
Bobby Seagull MBE (Lady Margaret Hall, 2003)
Emma Matebalavu (University, 1993)
Hugh Pym (Christ Church, 1978)
Sarah Ryle (Somerville, 1987)
Dr Tara Shirvani (University, 2009)
'I am delighted that Professor Sir Chris Whitty has agreed to become Chair of the University of Oxford's Alumni Board. Chris is one of Britain’s most distinguished public servants and scientists. He has devoted his career to improving public health and advancing scientific understanding, and I can think of few people better placed to help strengthen the relationship between Oxford and its global alumni community.
Oxford’s alumni are one of the University’s great strengths, contributing through leadership, mentorship, philanthropy and advocacy across the world. The Board plays an important role in ensuring that alumni expertise and experience continue to inform and support the University’s ambitions.
I look forward to working with Chris in the years ahead and to seeing the Alumni Board continue to go from strength to strength.'
- Chancellor Lord Hague
'Education is more than a career. It's about making a tangible difference for young people. That drive started early for me. While studying at Lady Margaret Hall, I spent time each week volunteer tutoring local primary school children. Later, an Oxford peer and I co-founded an educational social enterprise from our student rooms, which grew to support thousands of state-school students with their university applications.
After changing careers to become a teacher and appearing on BBC's University Challenge, this gave me an unexpected public platform. I've used this ever since to advocate for numeracy and literacy and to demystify higher education for everyone, regardless of where they start out.
Joining the Alumni Board feels like the right place to take this work next. My own path, growing up on a council estate in East London, attending my local state school, then winning a Sixth Form scholarship to Eton College, showed me the stark contrasts in our education system first hand. I want to bring that lived experience, alongside my years working across primary and secondary schools, to help Oxford push its access and outreach work even further. The University opened doors for me – now let's keep opening them for the next generation.'
- Bobby Seagull MBE, maths teacher, author and TV broadcaster
