As Sir Mark Walport steps down as Chair of the Kennedy Memorial Trust on 30 September 2025, we take this opportunity to express, on behalf of the Trustees and the wider Kennedy Scholar community, our sincere thanks for his decade of dedicated service – first as a Trustee, and for the past eight years as Chair.
Speaking to Kennedy Scholars and alumni at the Kennedy Memorial Trust reception this summer, Sir Mark reflected on the enduring values of President Kennedy and the importance of international academic exchange:
Collectively you are a brilliant beacon projecting the values of reason, freedom of expression and rational debate in very challenging times. The Kennedy Memorial Trust will continue to stand firm in its support for scholars and the values they represent.
Sir Mark Walport
Sir Mark’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping the Trust’s mission and ensuring UK students have been able to pursue graduate studies in the United States without a financial burden even through a period marked by global uncertainty and significant challenges. Sir Mark’s legacy is embedded in the Trust’s commitment to intellectual endeavour, leadership, and public service, as well as in the outstanding achievements of its scholars and their contributions to society.
“Unlike most of the other Trustees, Mark wasn’t a beneficiary of the Kennedy Scholarship, so this has been a decade of truly altruistic public service. He has been a tremendous ambassador for the Trust. Under his stewardship, the Trust has supported 97 Kennedy Scholars, and it has navigated the challenges of managing an international scholarship programme in a global pandemic and the changing political climate in the US. I and my fellow trustees are extremely grateful for all the work he has done to lead the Trust.”
Mary Ann Sieghart, Senior Independent Trustee
As we celebrate Sir Mark’s tenure, we also look ahead and welcome his successor, Sir Richard Moore, appointed by the Prime Minister to serve as the next Chair of the Kennedy Memorial Trust from 1 October 2025.
Sir Richard’s distinguished career includes serving as Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), British Ambassador to Turkey, Director General for Political Affairs at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, and postings in Vietnam, Turkey, Pakistan, and Malaysia. He brings with him a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the values of the Trust, having himself been a Kennedy Scholar at Harvard University in 1985–86.
We extend our thanks to Sir Mark for his outstanding leadership and service, and warmly welcome Sir Richard as he begins his tenure as Chair of the Kennedy Memorial Trust.
