College welcomes new Development Director

Murray Edwards College is delighted to announce the appointment of Sarah Harwood as the College’s new Director of Development and Alumnae Relations. Sarah will take up the role on 12 October 2026.

Sarah brings with her more than 15 years’ senior level Development experience across higher education, the arts and heritage sectors. Roles at the National Portrait Gallery, the Royal Academy of Music, Bletchley Park, the Courtauld Institute of Art – as well as collegiate Cambridge – have given her valuable insights and experience particularly suited to leading fundraising and alumnae relations at Murray Edwards.

Now based in Cambridge, Sarah’s most recent role is as Director of Development and Fellow at Homerton College. Previously, she spent nearly four years Director of Development at the Bletchley Park Trust, which raises funds for and manages the world-famous home of the World War Two Codebreakers as a public museum and heritage attraction. A member of both the Executive Team and the Board, Sarah secured £4.2m within six months to conclude a £13m capital campaign, and generated more than £1.7m in additional support from major donors, trusts, foundations and corporate partners, as well as a £2.4m grant from Arts Council England for essential infrastructure works. She also established the American Friends of Bletchley Park to enable international fundraising. 

Sarah’s earlier career has given her extensive experience of fundraising within cultural and educational organisations. At the Almeida Theatre she generated more than £2m annually (approximately 30% of the organisation’s operating income), as well as securing support for artistic excellence, learning programmes and new creative work. At the National Portrait Gallery, she led the appeal to acquire Van Dyck’s final self-portrait, securing £10.35m from more than 10,000 supporters in just five months. Earlier roles at the Royal Academy of Music and the Courtauld Institute of Art have given her significant experience in alumni engagement, major gift fundraising and the stewardship of communities united by a shared intellectual and cultural affinity.

Sarah said: ‘I am delighted to be joining Murray Edwards College at such an exciting time. I’m particularly attracted by the College’s distinctive identity, its commitment to academic excellence and opportunity, and the strength of its alumnae community. I am also drawn to the College’s longstanding association with the visual arts and its recognition of the important role that creativity and culture can play within academic life. The opportunity to work with the President, Fellows, alumnae and supporters to help shape Murray Edwards’ next chapter is enormously appealing.’

College Acting President Dr Rachel Polonsky said: ‘Sarah impressed us all as a warm, collegiate and people-centred fundraising leader who values collaboration. With her technical expertise and experience, leadership skills and strategic perspective, she understands what it takes for Development to thrive in a collegiate environment.

‘I look forward very much to working with Sarah and the Development and Alumnae Relations team – alongside the whole College community – as we develop and work to deliver the College’s 75th anniversary fundraising campaign and prepare for the next Presidency.’