The College is delighted to announce the establishment of two legacy funds honouring Professor Dame Madeleine Atkins and John Atkins.
Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge, has launched two legacy funds to honour the transformative leadership of outgoing President Professor Dame Madeleine Atkins and her husband and College’s Senior Associate John Atkins.
During her seven-year tenure, Madeleine oversaw a period of major growth, positioning the College as a leader in innovation across the University, while remaining true to its founding purpose of opening the Cambridge door to exceptional students from under-represented backgrounds. Throughout this time, her husband, John Atkins, has been a constant presence at the College, dedicating himself to supporting our academic programmes, business development, and financial planning.
In place of formal leaving celebrations or gifts, Madeleine and John have asked that we mark their remarkable contribution to the College in a way that reflects their deep commitment to our students and to our enterprising mindset.
In lieu of formal farewells or personal gifts, Madeleine and John have asked that their legacy be marked in a way that reflects their enduring commitment to student opportunity and institutional ambition. In response, the College invites alumni, supporters, and friends to contribute to one of two new initiatives that embody the values they have championed.
The Atkins Scholarship Fund
Despite the strides Lucy Cavendish has made in widening access to undergraduate study, financial constraints still prevent many high-achieving finalists from continuing their education at postgraduate level. Each year, students with strong academic potential are forced to decline places on Cambridge Master’s courses due to financial hardship.
Madeleine and John believe passionately that talent and ambition should not be curtailed by economic circumstance. With your support, the Atkins Scholarship Fund will provide vital financial assistance to an exceptional UK Lucy undergraduate each year, enabling them to pursue postgraduate study and fulfil their academic and professional potential at Cambridge.
The Atkins Innovation Fund
Under Dame Madeleine’s leadership, Lucy Cavendish has introduced a pioneering, integrated suite of student support programmes that have redefined the collegiate experience. From pre-arrival transition to postgraduate career preparation, the College now offers a holistic framework that nurtures both academic success and personal development.
Initiatives such as the Academic Attainment Programme (AAP), Bridging Week, and the Enterprise and Employability Programme have all contributed to this transformation. These are complemented by personalised tutorials and the Future Global Leaders Programme for postgraduates—together forming a model that has earned national recognition and multiple Innovation Awards.
Backed by strong evidence and student feedback, this approach has demonstrably improved outcomes and enhanced students’ sense of belonging. With your help, the Atkins Innovation Fund will provide the seed funding needed to launch new projects, refine existing programmes, and ensure Lucy continues to lead in educational innovation across the sector.
Every contribution to either the Atkins Scholarship Fund or the Atkins Innovation Fund will honour a remarkable period in the College’s history, ensuring that Madeleine and John’s legacy endures and continues to inspire.