Dame Hilary Boulding to become CEO of the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme
The Trustees of the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust (WHT) are delighted to announce the appointment of Dame Hilary Boulding as its next Chief Executive Officer. She will take up the position in September 2025, succeeding Alexandra Henderson. After 13 years of outstanding service, Alexandra will gradually step back as Chief Executive during the 2024/25 academic year and transition to a continuing role as a Trustee.
Dame Hilary Boulding
Dame Hilary Boulding said: ‘I’m delighted to be joining the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust as its Chief Executive. I have huge admiration for the Trust’s work and the exceptional quality of its scholars, who share a commitment to making a significant and positive impact on the world. Many of its alumni are making a vital and meaningful contribution across the globe.’
A long-time supporter of the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust, Dame Hilary’s passion for education and extending opportunity aligns with our mission to nurture, inspire and empower young global leaders from emerging and developing economies. The Trustees are confident that under Hilary’s leadership, the Trust will continue to grow and expand its impact.
She will join the Trust following the completion of her 8-year term as President of Trinity College, Oxford, the first female President in the College’s 460-year history. In that role she has led Trinity College through a period of substantial development of its physical estate, widening the field of student recruitment, and enhancing the student experience through investment in their personal development and leadership skills. Prior to her role at Trinity College, Dame Hilary served as Principal of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, responsible for training exceptionally talented young people for careers in the arts and creative industries.
She has held senior roles in the UK’s arts, cultural and educational sectors: she had a 20-year career in broadcasting as a Producer, Director and Commissioning Editor with the BBC, and was subsequently appointed Director of Music Strategy for Arts Council England. Her contributions were recognised in 2017 with the award of a DBE for services to culture and education in Wales.
WHT Trustee, Mr André Hoffmann, said: ‘As we welcome Hilary, we look forward to an exciting new chapter in the Trust’s journey, with great anticipation for the future under her leadership.
We also wish to express our huge appreciation to Alexandra Henderson for her remarkable leadership and dedication to the Trust. During her tenure as CEO, Alexandra Henderson has been the driving force behind the Trust's evolution from a bold vision into a world-renowned educational programme with a profound impact. Her leadership has been marked by her unwavering dedication to the Trust's mission of nurturing future global leaders. Under her guidance, the Trust has grown significantly, expanding its scholarship offerings, strengthening its leadership development programmes, and establishing a vibrant and diverse community of scholars from around the world.
The current WHT Chair, Mr Michael Lewis, added: ‘Alexandra’s remarkable ability to connect with scholars, donors, and partners alike has created a lasting network of support and collaboration, which has been instrumental to the Trust’s success. Her vision, boundless energy, and passion have not only transformed the Trust, but also enriched the lives of countless scholars who have gone on to become influential leaders in their respective fields.
The Trustees wish to express their deepest gratitude for Alexandra’s outstanding contributions. Her legacy will continue to inspire the Trust's work, and her ongoing involvement as a Trustee will ensure that her invaluable experience and insight remain integral to the Trust's future.’
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme cultivates the leaders of tomorrow by providing outstanding university graduates and professionals from developing and emerging economies with the opportunity to pursue fully-funded graduate studies at the University of Oxford, combined with a comprehensive programme of leadership development, long-term mentoring and networking. In the past 17 years, the programme has supported around 450 scholars from nearly 100 countries.
The Scholarships were established in 2007. The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust was co-founded in 2014 by Lord Weidenfeld and Mr André Hoffmann. In 2014, Lord Weidenfeld’s friends including Dr Sigrid Rausing and Mr Eric Abraham, Lord Blavatnik, Trustee and current Chairman Mr Michael Lewis, and Weidenfeld family members - Dr Alina Barnett and Mr Ben Barnett, marked his 95th birthday by raising funds to endow the scholarships as part of a match funding partnership with the University of Oxford. A second significant contribution by the Trust’s first Chairman André Hoffmann in 2017 ensured an endowment for 30 Scholarships in perpetuity. In addition, the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust has benefited from the considerable support of partners including the Louis -Dreyfus Foundation, GRoW @ Annenberg, Hertford College, Keble College, Lincoln College, Mansfield College, St Antony’s College, St Edmund Hall, Trinity College and Worcester College.
In 2024, WHT moved to a new home in Walton Street, Jericho, Oxford, where they provide a space for current scholars to congregate for the Leadership Programme and an MCR meeting space for over 400 visiting alumni.
For further information contact:
Jane Baldwin jane.baldwin@whtrust.org