David Sainsbury Elected Chancellor of Cambridge University. (October 17, 2011)

Over the week-end 5,888 members of the University of Cambridge Senate elected the former UK Minister for Science for eight years under the recently deposed Labour Government, former chair of the supermarket chain and a Cambridge graduate who has donated millions of pounds towards a science research centre for the university, Lord Sainsbury as Chancellor of the University. Until earlier this year the Duke of Edinburgh had held the position for 34 years until he stood down on turning 90.

While the role of chancellor is largely but not wholly honorary, it can have significant influence on such matters as attracting donations to the  university.

The final tally:

David Sainsbury            -    2,993    - 50.8%

Brian Blessed                -    1,389    - 23.6%

Michael Mansfield        -      964    - 16.4%

Abdul Arain                    -      312    -   5.3%

Others/informal             -      230    -   3.9%