Lord Hague of Richmond has been formally inaugurated as the 160th Chancellor of the University of Oxford in a ceremony held today at the Sheldonian Theatre. His appointment follows his
successful election to the role in November 2024.
In his acceptance speech, Lord Hague expressed gratitude to the Convocation for their support, stating:
"I thank all of you, the Convocation, for electing me as your Chancellor and for your enthusiastic welcome in recent weeks. Every visit I have made so far and every conversation has only deepened my excitement about the years ahead. I wholeheartedly dedicate myself to working with you and for you."
Professor Irene Tracey CBE FRS FMedSci, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford, warmly welcomed Lord Hague, emphasizing his strong ties to the university and his commitment to its values:
"I am delighted and honoured to welcome Lord Hague back to Oxford as our new Chancellor. His deep connection to the University and his commitment to its values, mission, and vision will serve this world-class institution well during his tenure. He is a man of great integrity, wisdom, and dedication. I look forward to working closely with him to uphold and strengthen Oxford’s legacy of excellence."
A distinguished alumnus, William Hague studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at Magdalen College, graduating in 1982. Originally from South Yorkshire, he has often credited Oxford with transforming his life.
Lord Hague’s political career began at just 27 when he was elected as the MP for Richmond, Yorkshire. Over 26 years in the House of Commons, he held numerous senior positions, including First Secretary of State and Foreign Secretary from 2010 to 2014. As Minister for Disabled People, he played a key role in the landmark Disability Discrimination Act of 1995. During his tenure as Foreign Secretary, he became the most widely travelled holder of the office and was globally recognized for co-founding the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict initiative alongside Angelina Jolie, then the UNHCR Special Envoy.
Since leaving government, Lord Hague has remained active in business, charity, and writing. A columnist for The Times, he has authored two historical biographies and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
His wife, Dame Ffion Hague, an Oxford alumna who studied English at Jesus College, is an Honorary Fellow of Harris Manchester College.
Elected with strong support from the members of Convocation, Lord Hague will serve a ten-year term as Chancellor, assuming a role that has been a cornerstone of the university’s governance for over 800 years.
The full text of Lord Hague’s admission speech is available here.
Photo by Chatham House, Wikimedia commons.