Alison Rose

Alison Jane Rose (born 10 December 1961) is a British former diplomat and the Principal of Newnham College, Cambridge. She was the British ambassador to Belgium from 2014 until 2019.

Early life and education Rose was born in Coventry and studied at Barr’s Hill Grammar School. She read modern history at Newnham College, Cambridge,

Career Rose joined the Civil Service in 1983, working in the Manpower Services Commission. She joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1999 and developed an EU specialism and worked for the FCO in Paris, London and Brussels. She was appointed as British ambassador to Belgium in October 2013, and was in post from 11 August 2014 to July 2019. The issues arising from Brexit during her tenure gave her opinions particular interest in the Belgian media.

Rose was elected by Newnham College, Cambridge, as the principal-elect in January 2019, and was formally installed in office in October 2019, as the thirteenth Principal of Newnham.