Development Director’s report

REPORT BY JO RYAN

It has been an extraordinary year defined by the effects of COVID-19. The intense disruption caused to all aspects of our lives has been challenging but I hope that throughout you and those close to you have stayed safe and well.

Highlights of College life before March included the most well attended alumnae reunion dinner to date, the Connections event in partnership with AstraZeneca which brought together eight scientist-poet pairs in a unique interdisciplinary project and regional alumnae events in Oxford and Manchester.

Although for the last few months Development Office staff have not been physically in College, we have tried to maintain a ‘business as usual’ approach whilst also looking to the future. It was important to adapt quickly to reach out to as many members of the Lucy community as possible whether living in Cambridge or half way around the world. Lucy in Lockdown has proved to be the perfect medium to do this and I warmly encourage you to watch any talks you have missed on the Lucy YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/channel/ UCgPMUNu3iiZEU13Zo3nR86w. Please sign up for our future talks via the website: www.lucy.cam.ac.uk.

Several Meet the President events have also taken place with alumnae and friends participating via Zoom from all corners of the globe for these virtual get-togethers. We will be adding more events and virtual reunions to the programme over the coming months and we would love to have your ideas on content, speakers etc. so please do get in touch. Fundraising will be instrumental to the success of our ambitions for the future. Building on the vision of our Founders, from 2021 we will grow at scale and admit the majority of our students from disadvantaged backgrounds or under-represented groups. Fundraising will ensure Lucy’s long-term financial sustainability, attract the brightest minds - irrespective of background - and build state-of-the-art facilities creating the optimum environment for learning, research, collaboration and recreation.

We are fortunate to have an engaged and committed Campaign Foundation Board who provide advice and guidance on all fundraising activities. Derek Laud, a pioneer of wider access to Oxbridge, is an expert Chair. Alec Russell (Editor, FT Weekend), Christopher Whitney (Director, Principal Gifts at the University’s Development Office), Freddy McGraw (J. Stern & Co.) and a very familiar name to most of you, former Lucy President, Baroness Perry of Southwark join him. They all give generously of their time and talents and the President and I are extremely grateful for their expertise and support. And we are delighted that the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stephen Toope, continues to advocate on our behalf.

COVID aside, this is an exciting time for our College - but we recognise and appreciate that the future to which we aspire is only possible because of the support and encouragement of all the members of our community. Whether you are an alumna, a volunteer, a member of staff, a Fellow, a donor, an Associate or a student - on behalf of all of the Development team, I offer my heartfelt thanks.