A former BBC journalist has become the latest ex-employee of the corporation to take over an Oxbridge College.
Alan Bookbinder, who worked for the BBC for 25 years, will take over as Master of Downing College at Cambridge University in October 2018.
Mr Bookbinder was most notably the first BBC Head of Religion & Ethics who was a non-believer – a position he held for five years until 2006.
He had since been serving as director of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts but will now leave the post to replace mathematician Geoffry Grimmett, the current head of Downing.
Alan Bookbinder, pictured, worked for the BBC for 25 years and will take over as master of Downing College at Cambridge University in October 2018
Mr Grimmett told Varsity: ‘I am delighted that the Fellows of Downing have chosen Alan Bookbinder as Downing’s next Master.
‘Alan has an unusual breadth of experience which will serve well our students, staff, and fellows over the years to come, and he will bring wise counsel to the University.’
He added: ‘I wish him the very best in this exciting and demanding post.’
Yet a certain experience does appear to be required in order to serve as Master of an Oxbridge College – many are currently filled by former BBC employees and also those from The Guardian.
Former Guardian editor-in-chief Alan Rusbridger, pictured, presently leads the prestigious Lady Margaret Hall at the University of Oxford
Jacke Ashley, pictured left with husband Andrew Marr, at the Galaxy British Book Awards in 2009
Former Guardian editor-in-chief Alan Rusbridger, for example, presently leads the prestigious Lady Margaret Hall at the University of Oxford as principal – a role that he’s held since stepping down from paper in 2014.
Jackie Ashley, who was political editor of the New Statesman from 2000-2002, is president of Lucy Cavendish College at the University of Cambridge.
The former Observer editor-in-chief Will Hutton has been principal of Hertford College at the University of Oxford since 2011.
Mr Hutton spent 10 years working at the BBC where employment has also been given to other Oxbridge principals such as:
- Mark Damazer, Master of St Peter’s College, Oxford – BBC Radio 4 controller
- Bridget Kendall, Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge – BBC (1983-2016)
- Roger Mosey, Master of Selwyn College, Cambridge – BBC’s Director of London 2012 Olympics
- Helena Kennedy, Principal of Mansfield College, Oxford – BBC presenter
Earlier this year MailOnline reported on how every new Oxbridge head was starting to look like a monopoly toward the left side of politics.
The move more appropriately points to one where media careers seem to be taking precedent over long held academia careers when choosing new headships.