Newnham College alumnae awarded King’s Birthday honours

Warmest congratulations are extended to three Newnham College alumna whose work was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours 2024.

Julia Hoggett DBE

Julia Hoggett (NC 1993) CEO of the London Stock Exchange was made a Dame for services to business and finance.

Julia joined the London Stock Exchange Group in April 2021 and is CEO of London Stock Exchange plc and Head of Digital & Securities Markets, LSEG. Previously, Julia was at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as Director of Market Oversight, overseeing the conduct of market participants. She joined the FCA in 2014 to run the Wholesale Banking Supervision Department. Prior to this, she was a Managing Director at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, running various fixed income origination businesses in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). Julia was previously a Board Member and CEO of Deutsche Pfandbriefbank (DEPFA ACS Bank) in Ireland. She began her career at JPMorgan. Julia holds a degree in Social and Political Sciences from Cambridge University and undertook a research scholarship at Kings College, Cambridge University on public policy in East Africa. Julia was included in Financial News’ 100 Most Influential Women in Europe’s Financial Markets (2010, 2011, 2012, 2021,2022 and 2023), and awarded Industry Leader of the year 2023 by City AM. Julia has been an active speaker on Diversity and Inclusion in the City for two decades.

Alexandra Bolton OBE

Alexandra Bolton (NC 1985) is Director of the Climate Governance Initiative was given an OBE for services to the built and natural environment.

Alexandra has had a varied career, having qualified as a chemical engineer and holds a Post-graduate Diploma in Law. She has worked in industry, the City, the University of Cambridge and as an independent consultant. She has held a number of senior positions including as the founding Executive Director of the Centre of Digital Built Britain, and most recently as the founder of an independent consultancy providing strategic advice on digital transformation, digital twins, and organisational strategy. Alexandra studied Chemical Engineering at Newnham, and went on to study for a Postgraduate Certificate in Law.  In 2019 she was named as one of Computer Weekly‘s UKTech50 – their annual list of the most influential leaders in the UK technology sector.

Alexandra Bolton OBE said: “This wonderful and humbling recognition makes me in turn recognise the talented people who, throughout my career, have selflessly given me support, guidance and advice. I am enormously grateful for the honour, and for all those who have helped me along the way.”

Dr Belinda Clarke OBE

Dr Belinda Clarke (NC 1992) Director of Agri-TechE was given an OBE for services to agri-technologies and farming. Belinda has led Agr-TechE since it was formed. She has also been a member of the Council of UKRI-BBSRC and a trustee of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (2015-2021) and is currently a non-executive director of Agrimetrics, formerly one of the UK’s Agri-Tech Centres. Dr Clarke was awarded the Sir Timothy Colman Prize for “outstanding leadership in the agri-tech sector” in 2021.

She has a first degree in natural sciences from the University of Cambridge (Newnham College) and a PhD in plant biochemistry following post-graduate research at the John Innes Centre into starch production by peas and potatoes. She is a Nuffield Scholar, a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Councils, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, a chartered biologist, and a qualified business coach.

Dr Clarke OBE commented “I am humbled and honoured to be awarded an OBE for agri-technologies and farming and would like to pay tribute to the inspiring network, alongside whom I have the daily privilege of working,… I see this as an accolade not just for myself, but also recognition of the contribution that Agri-TechE members’ world-leading science and innovative farming practices are making towards food security, agricultural productivity, and environmental sustainability of the global agri-food value chain.”