Despite the Brexit debate taking place in the United Kingdom, the country is still making strides towards ethnic and gender diversity. It was recently announced that a black businesswoman is set to become the first woman to ever lead the distinguished Oxbridge college, Cambridge University.
51-year-old entrepreneur Sonita Alleyne was recently elected master of Jesus College, Cambridge. According to DailyMail, Alleyne will also be the first female head in the history of the college – founded in 1496 – when she begins her role on October 1.
Alleyne previously served as a BBC trustee and is currently chairman of the British Board of Film Classification’s management council. She reportedly described her election as ‘an honor’.
The East London native studied at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, before starting a career in radio and founding the production company Somethin’ Else. Alleyne will become the college’s 42nd master, taking over from Professor Ian White, who was appointed vice-chancellor of the University of Bath earlier this year.
