Madeleine Atkins

Dame Madeleine Julia Atkins, (born 2 July 1952) is a British academic administrator, scholar of education, and former teacher. Between 2018 and 2025 she served as the ninth president of Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge. She was formerly vice-chancellor of Coventry University, and the chief executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (2014–2018).

Early life and education Atkins was born on 2 July 1952. She studied law and history at Girton College, Cambridge, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1974. She then trained as a teacher at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). In June 2018, it was revealed by the University and College Union that she received a pay package worth £554,648 in 2017, which represents a 96% increase on the £282,354 paid to her in 2016–17.

In July 2018, it was announced that Atkins would be the next president of Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge, in succession to Jackie Ashley.

Honours Atkins was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2012 New Year Honours for services to Higher Education. She was promoted to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2019 New Year Honours. She is a deputy lieutenant (DL) of the West Midlands.

In 2016, she was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS).