Chrystia Freeland is an Alberta-born Rhodes Scholar who came to Oxford in 1991. She brings to the Trust a remarkable record of achievement as a prominent Canadian politician, acclaimed journalist, and award-winning author. She began her career in journalism as a Ukraine-based freelance reporter for the Financial Times, The Washington Post and The Economist, going on to serve as deputy editor of The Globe and Mail and United States managing editor of the Financial Times. She worked as managing director of Thomson Reuters before returning to Canada and entering politics in 2013. Since then, Chrystia has served as Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Minister of Foreign Affairs, amongst other positions, and has been recognised for her significant contributions to public life.
History of Wardens
1903-1931
Sir Francis Wylie
Previously Fellow & Tutor, Brasenose College, Oxford
1931-1952
Sir Carleton Allen
Previously Professor of Jurisprudence and Fellow of University College, Oxford
1952-1980
Sir Edgar Williams
Previously Fellow & Tutor in History, Balliol College, Oxford; Chief of Intelligence to Montgomery in World War II
1980-1989
Dr Robin Fletcher
Previously Fellow & Bursar of Trinity College, Oxford; Olympian (field hockey)
1989-1999
Sir Anthony Kenny
Previously Master of Balliol College, Oxford; also Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and President of the British Academy
1999-2004
Dr John Rowett
Previously Fellow & Tutor in History, Brasenose College, Oxford; subsequently Secretary-General of the Association of Commonwealth Universities
2004-2009
Sir Colin Lucas
Previously Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and Master of Balliol College, Oxford
2009-2012
Dr Donald Markwell (Queensland & Trinity 1981)
Previously Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), University of Western Australia; Warden of Trinity College, University of Melbourne; Fellow & Tutor in Politics, Merton College, Oxford
2012-2013
Dr Andrew Graham, Acting Warden
Previously Master of Balliol College, Oxford
2013-2018
Mr Charles Conn, (Massachusetts & Balliol 1983)
Previously Senior Advisor to the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation and co-founder of Citysearch
2018-2025
Dr Elizabeth Kiss (Virginia & Balliol 1983)
Previously President of Agnes Scott College, Georgia and founding director of Duke University’s Kenan Institute for Ethics
2025-2026
Sir Richard Trainor KBE FRHistS (Rhode Island & Merton 1970), Interim Warden
Previously Rector of Exeter College, Oxford and Principal and Professor of Social History at King’s College London
2026-
Chrystia Freeland (Prairies & St Antony's 1991)
Previously Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and acclaimed journalist
Contact the Warden & CEO
E: wardens.office@rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk