Master of St Cross Carole Souter to Retire

carole profile

Carole Souter CBE will retire at the end of September 2022, after six years as Master of St Cross.

Carole has been Master since September 2016. Since arriving, she has focused on further building the St Cross College community, meeting with alumni and friends across the world. She has also encouraged significant growth in the College's scholarship provision including the establishment of the College's first endowed scholarship fund and pioneering Graduate Access Awards. Carole Chaired the Conference of Colleges Equality and Diversity Forum from 2017 - 2021 and then became Chair of the Conference of Colleges Welfare Forum. She has also chaired the Board of Visitors for the Oxford University Museum of Natural History since 2016 and has been active in wider issues across Oxford throughout her time as Master.

Before joining St Cross, Carole was Chief Executive of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund from 2003-2016, overseeing the distribution of £400m a year to projects making a lasting difference to people and heritage across the UK.

Carole will continue in her St Cross role until her retirement, and plans are being developed to appoint an interim Master from October. The College will also be appointing an interim Bursar, to replace John Tranter, who will retire as planned in mid-September. 

On her retirement Mrs Souter plans to concentrate on her voluntary and family commitments.  She said: “St Cross will always be close to my heart and there is never a perfect time to leave, but this feels right. Having come through the pandemic and with great plans in-hand for work on our West Wing building, now really is the time to hand over the reins. These are exciting times for the College, and I am confident that the St Cross community will continue to flourish and exemplify its egalitarian and inclusive values."