Lord Hague announced as new Oxford University Chancellor
The former Conservative politician clinched the historic title to become the Chancellor-elect.
Lord William Hague of Richmond has won the Oxford University Chancellorship, beating the likes of Lord Peter Mandleson and Rt Hon Dominic Grieve to become Lord Patten’s successor.
Lord Hague, 63, who graduated from Magdalen College, Oxford in 1982, served as the Leader of the Conservative Party from 1997-2001, and was Foreign Secretary in David Cameron’s government.
The final five candidates for the chancellorship were announced earlier this month. They included a host of former politicians such as Peter Mandelson, Dominic Grieve, and Baroness Jan Royall, as well as the current Pro-Vice Chancellor Lady Elish Angiolini.
In the final round of voting, Lord Hague beat his nearest rival, Lady Angiolini, by over 1,500 votes, as members of the university’s Convocation cast their ballots.
The Chancellor-elect said in a statement: “I regard being elected as the Chancellor of our university as the greatest honour of my life.”
For Lord Hague, who famously spoke at the Tory party conference in 1977 at just 16-years-old, the role of Chancellor of his alma mater is just yet another great achievement in his life and career.
Lord Hague will be inaugurated in the new year and will serve a ten year term. He becomes the 160th recorded Chancellor in the title’s 800 year history.
The role of Chancellor includes presiding over key ceremonial events and acting as an ambassador for the university locally, nationally, and internationally — as well as engaging in advisory and charity work on behalf of the institution.