University of Cambridge (UK): Chris Smith elected new Chancellor

Chris Smith, outgoing Master of Pembroke College, Cambridge, becomes the 109^th Chancellor and will hold the office for ten years, announces the British university on 23/07/2025. He succeeds David Sainsbury, Chancellor since 2011, who chose to step down at 84 years old.

His election follows a process which attracted ten candidates. For the first time, the election was opened to online voting, and more than 23,000 alumni and staff participated. In addition, almost 2,000 chose to vote in person at the University's Senate House, according to the University of Cambridge.

Smith has served as the Master of Pembroke since 2015 and will step down at the end of July. He is a former Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and later Chairman of the Environment Agency.

"He began his political career as a Labour Councillor for the London Borough of Islington, becoming MP for Islington South and Finsbury in 1983. In 1992, he joined the Shadow Cabinet and held a number of front bench posts before Labour came to power in 1997", states the university.

The institution adds that the Chancellor…