Development Report

As the Master notes in her report, 2021–22 was a year of transition. We were particularly delighted to be able to welcome alumni back to the College, as we saw a gradual return to in-person events.These ranged from MA celebrations and reunion dinners to the Alumni Council, the Samuel Blythe Society lunch, and the Master’s Circle Dinner. Special events included a private view of Dr John Guy’s exhibition on Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots at the British Library, and an Old Court Campaign event at Lincoln’s Inn. Gala Day 2022 once again saw alumni and their families enjoying a varied programme of talks, treasure hunt, storytelling and wine-tasting in and around Memorial Court; the sense of community was palpable, and the sun shone all day.

Nonetheless, the success of online events during the pandemic, especially our Digital Gala Week 2021, showed the benefits of virtual programming, which has been especially welcomed by alumni who live overseas or are unable to travel to Cambridge. Going forward, we wish to retain the benefits of live-streaming and recording (which will become the default for all talks and lectures), while recapturing the atmosphere and sense of involvement that can only come from live, in-person participation.

Given the disruption wrought by the pandemic and global events, the continued support of alumni and well-wishers for the College’s fundraising programmes, especially the Old Court Campaign, throughout 2021–2022 has been incredibly heartening and hugely welcome. The £25 million target for the Old Court Campaign is now within sight: thanks to a number of exceptionally generous gifts in the past year, we have surpassed the £21 million mark and are hopeful of completing the Campaign by the end of the 2022–2023 academic year. We have also received wonderful support for bursaries, student wellbeing, and unrestricted funds – the last being particularly important if Clare is to be able to respond to new and emerging challenges. The telephone campaign, though conducted at the height of the pandemic in December 2021, resulted in donations of nearly £150,000 from 286 individual donors, 54 of whom were making their first gift to the College.

Everyone at Clare is acutely conscious that just about every aspect of College life – bursaries, hardship funds and travel grants, the supervision and tutorial systems, graduate studentships and research fellowships, the library, the Boat Club and music – depends on the generosity of our donors. Every gift, large or small, contributes towards sustaining Clare as a friendly, supportive and inclusive community committed to excellence, diversity and sustainability. Having seen at first-hand how younger institutions of higher education, without an active alumni network or a supportive donor community, can struggle to deliver excellent teaching, learning and research, I am determined that Clare should both make the most of these extraordinary advantages and prove worthy of them.

The Development Office team itself has adapted to rise to the challenge, welcoming Cameron Witheridge-Pearce as the new Gifts, Administration and Finance Officer, and welcoming back Danielle Melling as Deputy Development Director on her return from maternity leave, while fond farewells were said to Martha Roberts (Senior Communications Officer) and Nancy Hooley (Events Manager) who contributed so much to the College’s alumni relations over many years. After a period of change, we look forward to taking the development programme to new levels of success. The fiftieth anniversary of co-education and the impending septcentenary of the College’s foundation provide opportunities for renewal and reinvigoration of our alumni engagement.

To conclude on a personal note, after a decade in senior leadership roles in higher education in the UK and overseas, it is a particular pleasure and privilege to be back at Clare. The College and its members have always held a unique place in my affections, so I am thrilled to be re-joining the Clare community as Fellow for Development at this important point in its history. ‘Development’ in its fullest sense means helping an organisation to advance, and I look forward to using my experience, in partnership with the Master, Fellows, staff, students, alumni and well-wishers, to take Clare forward into its eighth century.

TOBY WILKINSON | FELLOW FOR DEVELOPMENT