Jon Dellandrea to leave Oxford

The man who kick-started the biggest fundraising initiative in European HE history is to part company with Oxford University. Jon Dellandrea has been at the university for three years and has been described by the industry as a guru of fundraising, bringing in massive gifts from philanthropists.

He will leave his position as pro-vice Chancellor for development and external affairs this autumn. The sudden departure has prompted speculation that Oxford may have lost its main hope of achieving its £1.25 billion fundraising target just a couple of months after announcing it.

The official party line is that Dr Dellandrea is leaving to pursue international consultancies, however, rumours have been bubbling about a tension over fundraising strategy. Dr Dellandrea said :“It has been a privilege to serve the University of Oxford for the last three years. The infrastructure and procedures implemented during this time will contribute to the ongoing accomplishments of the University and the Colleges over the coming years… I am pleased to have played a part in these accomplishments and I will watch with admiration and pride as the University continues to excel on a world scale.”
Speaking on the departure, Jon Hood, Vice Chancellor, said: “Jon Dellandrea has made a significant difference to the University and achieved a great deal in a relatively short time. With his help, important foundations have been laid in many areas which will stand Oxford in good stead for the future. I and my colleagues are grateful to him and wish him every success in the next phase of his career.”