New school to be built at Cambridge University with record £190m donation
The £190 million donation is believed to be the biggest donation made to a British university in modern times
Billionaire Chris Rokos, who donated £190 million to Cambridge University(Image: PA)
A record £190 million donation to a university will be used to build a new school. Investor Chris Rokos has made the donation to Cambridge University, and it’s believed to be the biggest donation made to a British university in modern times.
The university announced this donation will be used to build the Rokos School of Government. “I was fortunate to be given the opportunity of an education which transformed my life, and I would like to give something back to Britain,” said Mr Rokos.
He added: “My hope is that, in time, the influence of the Rokos School of Government across the world becomes an important element of that soft power which has been a great asset to the UK.” The billionaire hedge fund manager will provide initial support to the school by donating £130 million, plus a further £60 million.
The rest of the funding will be matched by the university. The school is set to be built on undeveloped land in the Cambridge West Innovation District.
Its operations will begin in autumn 2026 in temporary facilities, and run there until the building is completed. University of Cambridge vice-chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice said: “Tackling the enormous challenges facing our world requires radical new ways of thinking and approaches to leadership.
“Cambridge, with its strengths across all disciplines and its convening power, is uniquely positioned to drive this innovation. Thanks to Chris’ generous support, the Rokos School of Government will become a place where leaders and governments – both current and future – together with experts from across our institution generate the insights and solutions needed to respond to our rapidly changing world.”
A trust will be made to oversee the money sent to the school by donors and the university. Mr Rokos and the university have nominated two people each to manage the trust.
From the university, they have nominated pro vice-chancellor for research Professor Sir John Aston and pro vice-chancellor for university community and engagement Professor Kamal Munir. Mr Rokos has nominated lawyer Dr Christos Nifadopoulos and president of Cambridge’s Girton College Dr Elisabeth Kendall.