Trinity appoints Richard Turnill as Senior Bursar

The former Global Chief Investment Strategist of BlackRock and Cambridge alumnus, Richard Turnill, has been appointed Senior Bursar of Trinity College.

Following in the footsteps of successful Senior Bursars of Trinity, Mr Turnill brings 28 years’ experience in asset management and financial services to the role – which he will put to good use in an era marked by the coronavirus pandemic.

As a senior leader at Trinity, the Senior Bursar is responsible for the College’s endowment that provides 75% of its operational income – used to maintain the College’s world-leading excellence in research and education, and to support collegiate Cambridge.

Mr Turnill joins Trinity on 1 September 2020, initially as Assistant Bursar, working with the current Senior Bursar, Rory Landman, and then as Senior Bursar when Mr Landman steps down in January 2021. Mr Turnill will become a Fellow of Trinity.

After studying Economics at Churchill, 1988-1991, Mr Turnill joined the Bank of England and went on to become Global Chief Investment Strategist of BlackRock. He said:

I am excited and proud to be joining Trinity College and humbled to be following in the footsteps of many impressive Senior Bursars who have made huge contributions to the College’s success and to the benefit of the University, the city of Cambridge and broader society.

I hope to play a valuable role as Senior Bursar not only in investing the College’s assets effectively but being part of the extraordinary College community and serving Trinity in its important mission of advancing education and research for the public good.

This mission has never been more important and Trinity has the opportunity to play an even greater positive role in a rapidly-changing world.

As well as managing the College’s investments and developing financial policy, the Senior Bursar plays an active role in Trinity’s governance, through weekly Council meetings and by contributing to decision-making that will impact the College community in the immediate and longer term.

Trinity’s Senior Bursar also participates in University committees, leads on initiatives in support of education and research, and directs Trinity’s collaborations, including for example, support of the Newton Trust, University lectureships, PhD studentships and the Colleges Fund that helps less well-endowed Colleges.

During his extensive career in finance, Mr Turnill has navigated periods of significant volatility – experience that will stand him and Trinity in good stead in these uncertain times.

We face unprecedented challenges and considerable uncertainty. My 28 years in financial services, which includes 23 years in asset management as an economist, fund manager, strategist and business leader, has given me deep knowledge of global financial markets, investments and risks through periods of significant volatility. I hope to use this experience to help Trinity navigate these challenges effectively and contribute to the long-term success of the College.

Mr Turnill said it had been a ‘great pleasure’ to study at Cambridge and he was delighted to be returning to the city.

I had the great pleasure of studying as an undergraduate at Cambridge and met my wife Sue here while we were both students. I benefited enormously from my time here both in my career and in the lifelong friendships I established. I am delighted to be returning to this beautiful and vibrant city that holds so many fond memories for me. Having gained so much from Cambridge, I now hope to be able to give something back to the Collegiate University.

The Vice Master of Trinity, Professor Grae Worster, welcomed the appointment of Mr Turnill.

Trinity is delighted to welcome Richard Turnill to the College. The Senior Bursar is an important role at Trinity and a unique position in which to apply financial acumen and strategic vision for the continued flourishing and long-term development of the College.