Sonita Alleyne has been elected as the 42nd master of Jesus College, Cambridge. Photo: Internet Source

Sonita Alleyne has been elected as the 42nd master of Jesus College, Cambridge – the first female head of the college which was founded in 1496 – and will take up the position from October 1, in the college’s 40th anniversary of co-education.

The 51-year-old businesswoman and entrepreneur said it was “an honour to be elected to lead Jesus College.” She is a co-founder and former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Somethin’ Else, a cross-platform media production company.

“I left Cambridge 30 years ago, but it never left me. I am delighted to be returning,” added Alleyne, who studied for her undergraduate degree in philosophy at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge.

The Barbadian-born Brit, who is currently chairwoman of the British Board of Film Classification, is a former BBC trustee and was also previously appointed to the board of the London Legacy Development Corporation in 2012, as part of the drive to promote and deliver regeneration in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the surrounding areas.

She is also fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts and the Radio Academy and was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2004 for her services to broadcasting.