College News
New publication: College Record 2023/24
17 Mar 2025
Oxford’s prestigious Chancellor’s Court of Benefactors meets twice a year, at special events in Oxford and in London and offers benefactors the chance to engage with the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and other senior leaders, within the collegiate University. These meetings also allow benefactors to meet other members of the Court and to gain a greater understanding of the life and work of the University and the colleges.
Fellows of the Chancellor’s Court of Benefactors can have their generosity honoured with an engraving in the Clarendon Arch, near the entrance of the Bodleian Library. Names inscribed on the arch include some of the University’s most prominent benefactors, including King Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth I and Sir Thomas Bodley. The inscription ‘Christopher David Foster and Family’ joins others added within the last generation including Guy and Julia Hands – also for their support of Mansfield College – Dame Stephanie Shirley, Mr George Soros, HM Queen Elizabeth II and the Wolfson Foundation.
On 10 October, Chris and his wife Kat, were welcomed by Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Irene Tracey, and Helen Mountfield KC, Principal of Mansfield College, to view the family’s new inscription on the Clarendon Arch.
Helen thanked Chris and Kat for their leadership philanthropy, and – on behalf of Mansfield’s Governing Body – set out how their names will not only be permanently inscribed in this historic place at Oxford, but in the history of Mansfield College, where generations to come will recognise that they stood for equality of opportunity, and rewarding talent, just as we do.
Next month, Chris will receive Mansfield’s prestigious Bancroft Fellowship at a special ceremony and celebration at College. The Bancroft Fellowship is named for the late Lord Bancroft, who was Chairman of Trustees at Mansfield before the College was awarded its Royal Charter as a full College within the University of Oxford in 1995. It is the highest philanthropic honour the College can bestow, and is conferred for life.
Thank you Chris, Kat and family for your incredible philanthropy, which will have an impact on generations of students and academics at Mansfield, in perpetuity.
