Our people

Fran Baker Kurdi leads Social Impact & Innovation at Arm, a world-leading semiconductor and software design company. Her award-winning work focuses on extending the benefits of technology to the people and areas not currently prioritised in technology development. Working with impact partners on worldwide programmes, from social entrepreneurs to global organisations, Fran drives an impact strategy delivering inclusive innovation where technology can play a role. Fran has a MSt from the University of Cambridge in AI Ethics & Society, receiving a distinction for her work focusing on the sustainability of AI.

In 2020, Fran was selected as the United Nations Global Compact SDG Pioneer UK winner, and in 2022 was selected as one of twenty Global Fellows through the League of Intrapreneurs. In 2024, Fran was a finalist in the Everywoman in technology ‘Tech for Good’ award and has been recognised on the ‘100 Brilliant Women in AI ethics’ list.

Rob Baker is the Chief Coach of Cambridge University Boat Club’s men’s team.

A Cambridge native, he began coaching at CUBC in 2001 before leading Ireland’s U23 squad and later guiding Cambridge’s women to Boat Race victories. Since 2018, he has steered the men’s team to multiple wins, including a historic clean sweep in 2025. Known for his athlete-first philosophy, technical expertise, and emphasis on crew unity, Baker has helped modernize and unify Cambridge rowing. His deep rowing roots and commitment to excellence make him one of the sport’s most respected university coaches in the UK and beyond.

As Campaign Director for University Development and Alumni Relations, Kat provides strategic leadership for the planning and delivery of the next comprehensive campaign for collegiate Cambridge.

Prior to this, she worked for the NHS as Director for the Cambridge Children’s Hospital £100m capital campaign, working across multiple campaign and project partners as well as a dedicated Campaign Board.

Kat also spent six years at UCL as Executive Head of Campaign and Supporter Engagement, overseeing campaign projects and propositions, donor relations, communications and events throughout the £600m It’s All Academic Campaign.

Before entering the higher education sector, Kat held fundraising, engagement and governance roles at organisations including The Place2Be, The Royal Institution, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Foundation for FutureLondon.

Louisa is Director of Studies for Music.

Philippa is currently the Chair and Pro Chancellor of the University of Manchester, the Senior Independent Director of Ordnance Survey and of Cambridge University Hospitals Trust and a Non-Executive Director of Cyber and Specialist Operations Command.

As Group Human Resources Director of ITV Plc until 2009, Philippa shaped the consolidation of the regional ITV companies. Prior to that she held general management and then HR roles in Granada Group Plc. She began her career in marketing with ICI and has an MA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from The Queen's College Oxford.

Kate is Vice-Principal, Advancement at Queen’s University in Canada. She began her career in fund raising after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s in 1986. She earned her MBA from Harvard Business School in 1996 and relocated to the UK to work in telecommunications and media.

From 2012-2019, she was Chief Operating Officer, Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Cambridge. She directed the £2 billion “Dear World, Yours Cambridge” campaign. She became a fellow of St Edmund’s College in 2016 and served on Council, various college committees and as a tutor.

She was CEO of RegGenome, a research spin-out from Cambridge Judge Business School, and then Director at IMAGINE where she built community to enable positive impact among global system leaders. As a freelancer in Cambridge, she worked with leaders across the University and colleges to refine strategy and align operations to maximize funding and impact. Until mid-2025, she was CEO of Cambridge’s Centre for Better Futures.

Isabella Buono read Law at Magdalene College, Cambridge (MA) and St John’s College, Oxford (BCL), before qualifying as a barrister. She is currently the Judicial Assistant to the President of the UK Supreme Court, Lord Reed of Allermuir. Isabella has supervised European Union Law at St Edmund's since 2017.