Sonita Alleyne

Sonita Alleyne is a trailblazing leader in media, education, and the arts, recognised for her entrepreneurial vision and commitment to unlocking potential across diverse sectors. As the 41st Master of Jesus College, Cambridge, she made history in 2019 as the first black woman to lead an Oxbridge college, and currently chairs the British Board of Film Classification whilst serving on numerous influential boards including the London Legacy Development Corporation. An OBE recipient and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, she champions student agency and career readiness through innovative mentoring programmes like Jesus Connect, equipping audiences with practical strategies to develop leadership, foster inclusive cultures, and empower the next generation to thrive.

When Sonita Alleyne founded her first media company at 24, fresh from Cambridge University, she began an entrepreneurial journey that would span 18 years and lay the foundation for a career defined by creative vision and institutional transformation. In October 2019, she took up the role of 41st Master of Jesus College, Cambridge, becoming the first black woman to lead an Oxbridge college and the first woman to hold the position at Jesus, four decades after the college opened its doors to female undergraduates. Her leadership extends across multiple influential organisations, including her role as Chair of the British Board of Film Classification since 2019, and board positions with the London Legacy Development Corporation, the Cultural Capital Fund, and Elisabeth Murdoch's Freelands Foundation, where she chairs the Diversity Action Committee.

Sonita's credibility rests on decades of applied expertise across media, education, and the arts. After building and leading her production company to success, she transitioned into a portfolio career that has seen her serve on the BBC Trust during Charter renewal, chair Sound and Music, and hold non-executive roles with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Her contributions to broadcasting earned her an OBE, whilst her industry impact is recognised through fellowships with the Royal Society of the Arts and the Radio Academy. Beyond governance, she has returned to her creative roots through film production company They're Watching Us, and founded The Yes Programme, an online platform connecting primary pupils with real-world applications of their classroom learning. Her understanding of how agency, education, and achievement intersect stems from personal experience navigating systems where she was often the only person of colour, and this perspective now shapes her approach to institutional leadership and student development.

At Jesus College, Sonita has pioneered practical initiatives that prepare students for life beyond academia, particularly the approximately 20 per cent who arrive from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Through Jesus Connect, she has mobilised hundreds of alumni to mentor current students, complemented by skills workshops, peer learning, and regular speaker sessions that illuminate diverse pathways to success. Her speaking engagements equip audiences with actionable strategies for developing leadership capacity, building inclusive cultures, and fostering agency in young people. She demonstrates how organisations can move beyond academic achievement alone to cultivate the confidence, networks, and practical skills that translate into meaningful careers. Audiences leave with concrete frameworks for mentoring, clear insights into removing barriers to progression, and renewed commitment to ensuring that talent, regardless of background, can flourish and contribute at the highest levels.