HMC gives warm welcome to new Principal, Beth Breeze
Harris Manchester is delighted to welcome Beth Breeze to the College as its new Principal. Beth, who takes up the post today, joins HMC following the retirement of Professor Jane Shaw after her seven-year tenure.
Beth was formerly Professor of Philanthropic Studies at the University of Kent, and the founding Director of the Centre for Philanthropy where she pioneered the study of philanthropy as an academic discipline in the UK. She was awarded the OBE in the 2021 New Year Honours list. Fittingly for HMC, Oxford’s only college dedicated to mature students, Beth was awarded her PhD in Sociology in the year she turned 40.
New HMC Principal Beth Breeze by the statue of Charles Harris MC, the father of Lord Harris, in honour of whom the College is named
Joining Beth in the Principal’s lodgings are her husband Michael, who is a graphic designer, and their 14-year-old daughter Merrie, as well as a cockapoo called Pippin, tabby cat Mimi and ginger cat Monty. Older son Beren (aged 20) is at university in Bristol and will be around in the holidays. All are looking forward to meeting students and staff and welcoming visitors to college.
Beth said: “The Harris Manchester community has been incredibly warm and welcoming in the months since my election last March. I’m so happy to finally be here and can’t wait to get started by getting to know everyone that makes this college so special. Together we will build on the hard work of those who’ve gone before us to keep growing the reputation and positive impact of this beautiful institution.”
