Madeleine Atkins | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Professor Atkins in 2008 | |
| President ofLucy Cavendish College, Cambridge | |
| In office 2018–2025[1] | |
| Preceded by | Jackie Ashley |
| Succeeded by | Girish Menon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1952-07-02)2 July 1952 (age 73) |
Dame Madeleine Julia Atkins,DBE, DL, FAcSS (born 2 July 1952) is a Britishacademic administrator, scholar of education, and former teacher. Between 2018 to 2025 she served as the 9th President ofLucy Cavendish College, Cambridge. She was formerlyvice-chancellor ofCoventry University, and the Chief Executive of theHigher Education Funding Council for England (2014–2018).
Atkins was born on 2 July 1952.[2] She studied law and history atGirton College, Cambridge,[3][4][5] graduating with aBachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1974.[6] She then trained as a teacher atLady Margaret Hall, Oxford, completing aPostgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).[6] She obtained a PhD fromUniversity of Nottingham in 1982.[2]
Atkins was a school teacher from 1975 to 1979, before leaving to study for a doctorate.[6] She was then apost-doctoral researcher at theUniversity of Nottingham from 1982 to 1983, before joiningNewcastle University in 1984 as alecturer.[6] She was promoted tosenior lecturer in 1988, and rose to be pro-vice-chancellor (1998 to 2004).[6][5]
She wasvice-chancellor ofCoventry University from 2004 to 2013.[6] She became Chief Executive of theHigher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) on 1 January 2014.[5] In 2015, Atkins was paid a salary of between £230,000 and £234,999 by HEFCE, making her one of the 328 most highly paid people in the British public sector at that time.[7] In June 2018, it was revealed by theUniversity and College Union that she received a pay package worth £554,648 in 2017, which represents a 96% increase on the £282,354 paid to her in 2016-17.[8]
In July 2018, it was announced that Atkins would be the next President ofLucy Cavendish College, Cambridge in succession toJackie Ashley.[3] She took up the post in October 2018, becoming the college's 9th president.[9]
Atkins was appointed aCommander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the2012 New Year Honours for services to Higher Education.[10] She was promoted toDame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the2019 New Year Honours. She is aDeputy Lieutenant (DL) of the West Midlands.[11]
In 2016, she was elected aFellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS).[12]
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| Preceded by | President of Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge 2018 to present | Incumbent |
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