23 May 07

Sandra Robertson has been appointed Chief Investment Officer at the University of Oxford. She was previously Co-Head of Portfolio Management at the Wellcome Trust.

The appointment follows a decision by the investment committee at Oxford University to appoint a Chief Investment Officer to oversee an investment office managing the University's endowment fund of £900m.

The focus on investment which the new investment office will provide is part of the drive to increase Oxford's income.

Dr John Hood, Vice-Chancellor of the University, said: 'It is great news for Oxford that the investment committee has secured the services of an investment manager of Sandra's calibre. I am delighted that the new investment committee, which was only formed in February under the Chairmanship of Richard Oldfield, has been able to act so quickly to make this important appointment.'

Richard Oldfield, Chairman of the Investment Committee, said: 'Sandra is just right for the new role of Chief Investment Officer. I am sure she will do a marvellous job. We are thrilled to have her.'

Mark Walport, Director of the Wellcome Trust, said: 'UK universities have lagged far behind their US counterparts in the size and quality of management of their endowments. It is important that UK universities enhance their endowments as an additional funding source to keep them in the forefront of education, scholarship and research. Sandra Robertson has made important investment contributions to the endowment of the Wellcome Trust and we have great confidence that she can apply her investment skills at Oxford.'