���ӽ紫ýbids farewell to Sian Cook

"As I prepare to say goodbye to ���ӽ紫ý after seven wonderful and fulfilling years, I wanted to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been part of my life at ���ӽ紫ýand for this chapter of my career.”

Sian came to the College as Director of Development, shaping Wolfson's fundrasing priorities before she moved into the role of Director of College Networks in 2022. Alongside growing Wolfson’s alumni relations programme, she oversaw the realisation of Wolfson’s Research Hubs—an interdisciplinary initiative that brings together the incredible community of scholars that make up Wolfson’s intellectual life. 

“When I started, networks with purpose was not a concept that was familiar here. We’ve built the programmes bottom up, and we’ve linked them to the strategic plan. We had this amazing international community, so we went to places where there was interest and also enthusiasm and we were really welcomed. And that’s been amazing and will forever stick in my mind. I have great pride in what we’ve achieved: in the outward-facing and engaging nature of the College community, and the benefits of fostering international collaboration, innovation, and networking.”

And what does Sian see as the legacy she’s left at Wolfson? 

“We’ve got new, world-class Fellows coming because of the Hubs, and PhD students. It’s a part of College life. We’re known across Cambridge for these Hubs, and that’s a really big movement. We’re a visible part of the College ecosystem. It’s bigger than the sum of its parts, and I'm confident that Networks and Alumni Relations will continue to thrive at Wolfson. I look forward to staying connected with friends and colleagues, and to hearing how ���ӽ紫ýcontinues to evolve and be successful in the years to come.”

Wolfson’s President, Professor Jane Clarke, said:

“Sian joined ���ӽ紫ýalmost 7 years ago as Development Director, and under her leadership and guidance alumni engagement and fundraising saw a marked up-swing during the earliest years of my presidency. The ties between the College and our alumni were strengthened significantly through the efforts of Sian and her team; alumni from across the world have expressed their thanks to Sian for bringing them back on-board.  As Director of College Networks, she has overseen the development of the Research Hubs and strengthened ties both within and beyond College in a way which has been game-changing – raising the profile of the College and enriching the experience of our students." 

"I thank Sian for all she has done for the College. She has been a strong and supportive member of the senior leadership team. I wish her well in her future endeavours and hope that we will see her back here in College: once a member, always a member of Wolfson!"