A new Principal has been appointed for Westminster College, Cambridge, a United Reformed Church (URC) Resource Centre for Learning.

Following the resignation of the college’s current Principal, the Revd Neil Thorogood, who is returning to local church ministry, the Revd Samantha White has been appointed for a seven-year term from 1 September to August 2027.

Samantha is an experienced URC minister and currently serves the college as Director of Pastoral Studies and as Director of the Cheshunt Foundation.

The Revd Nigel Uden, Convenor of the College Governors, said: “Samantha is a person with passion for the college’s future development and enthusiastic commitment to the various strands of its life, as well as to Westminster’s place within the United Reformed Church’s culture of learning. We look forward to Sam assuming this new ministry among us.”

John Ellis, Chair of the Appointment Group, added: “The group was well aware of the significance of the principalship of Westminster College. We are pleased that the evolving and rich range of activities which make this URC Resource Centre of Learning so valuable will be carried forward under the leadership of someone with Sam’s experience, energy and enthusiasm.”

Neil announced his resignation in January and said that although it was “hard to leave fine folk”, he was excited to begin a new chapter. Neil will be returning to local pastoral ministry at Trinity Henleaze URC, Bristol, and Thornbury URC.

He said: “I've worked, and still work, alongside awesome people. I know that God's call to move on includes blessings for Westminster too as new chapters unfold here. Many prayers as so much begins, and some things end.”

Looking forward to her new role, Samantha added: “I am delighted to have been appointed to this role and I come bringing realism and enthusiasm with me from my current post. I relish the opportunity to work with the governors and staff teams as we seek to offer the college's resources to the life of the Church in flexible ways, building on existing relationships and partnerships, and exploring new opportunities with optimism. May I offer my good wishes to the current Principal, Revd Neil Thorogood, as he prepares to move into a new ministry later this year.”

_{Picture: The Revd Samantha White
Published: 5 March 2020}