One of Pembroke’s greatest masters in its history, Giles Henderson, has announced his retirement, effective in August 2013. The search for a new Master is underway.

The College has retained the services of the executive search firm Moloney Search to help with the selection of the new Master.

Giles became Master of Pembroke in 2001. From 2007 to 2009 he held the elected office of Chair of the Conference of Colleges in Oxford and is a member of the Council of the University. He is also Chairman of the Nuffield Medical Trust.

Under Giles leadership, Pembroke has entered something of a golden age. Its finances are in exceptional shape, its academic standing is very strong; in sport it has more than once found itself at the head of the river; its alumni are motivated to support the College as they have never previously been; and perhaps most enduringly, Giles has successfully led Pembroke’s Bridging Centuries Campaign such that Pembroke’s new quad is scheduled to open this fall in time for Michelmas term.

Pembroke’s Governing Body expects to place a national advertisement for a new Master this September and to present a long-list of candidates to the Governing Body during October. The Governing Body plans to interview a first shortlist of candidates in early January 2013, and the final candidates in late January. College’s hope is to make the formal election by the end of Hilary term and appoint the new Master for August 2013.

“We welcome any suggestions for potential candidates,” says Dr Jeremy S. H. Taylor,  Pembroke’s Vicegerent and Tutorial Fellow in Medicine, who is chairing the search committee, “and ask that they are directed to Dr Helen Yallop, HY@Moloneysearch.com).

Giles informs the North American Pembrokian that he plans to visit the United States before he retires in order to bid farewell to the North American Pembroke community.

“Giles Henderson has been an extraordinary leader of Pembroke and great friend.  As much as any Pembroke master in its history, he has reached out to the North American Pembroke family for both support and advice. He will be sorely missed. His successor will have very large shoes to fill,” said Tom Herman, President of the Pembroke College Foundation.