Downing alumnus becomes Honorary Fellow

Downing alumnus becomes Honorary Fellow

We are delighted to announce that Nigel Clifford (1978) has been admitted as an Honorary Fellow of Downing College.

Nigel, who is Rector of our sister College, Lincoln College in Oxford, studied Geography at Downing and has an MBA from Strathclyde University.

Before joining Lincoln College, Nigel was a founder and Deputy Chair of the UK’s first Geospatial Commission charged with overseeing the nation’s geospatial assets and served as President of the Royal Geographic Society and Chief Executive of Ordnance Survey.

Professor Graham Virgo KC (Hon), Master of Downing College, said: “We're very pleased to welcome Nigel as an Honorary Fellow of Downing College, recognising his remarkable contributions to Geography. I very much look forward to our future collaborations, especially as we continue to build on the strong relationship we share with Lincoln, our sister College.” 

“I am deeply grateful to the Master and Fellowship for admitting me as an Honorary Fellow of Downing College. Spending three years at Downing, studying Geography, was the basis of everything I have done, and the friends I made then are those I have today. It has been a delight visiting the College over the years and seeing students in the midst of similar, shaping, experiences," said Nigel Clifford.

Downing is a special place and now as Rector of Lincoln College, Downing’s sister in Oxford, it gives me the opportunity to work with the Master to bring our two special places ever closer together.” 

Published 22 May 2025