Tom, who was elected an Honorary Fellow of Jesus College in 2020, is an educational philanthropist and technology entrepreneur. He is the current Chair of the Rugby Football Union, CEO of London-based Crossword Cybersecurity plc and a Non-Executive Director of FTSE 100 company WPP plc, the world’s largest advertising group. He was previously on the Board of the BBC, and is also an Honorary Fellow of St Anne’s College, Oxford.
Tom Ilube CBE Image by Andrew Ogilvy Photography
Tom has a range of experience in the charity sector – he is Founding Chair of the British education charity the African Gifted Foundation, and he launched the African Science Academy (ASA). Located in Ghana, ASA is the leading girls’ science and technology school on the continent.
He was appointed a CBE in 2018 for services to technology and philanthropy and has received Honorary Doctorates from City, University of London; the University of Wolverhampton; the University of Benin, Nigeria; the University of Portsmouth; and Coventry University. Tom has been involved in launching and governing a number of schools. He was the Founding Chair of Hammersmith Academy and the Chair of ADA College, the UK’s National College for Digital Skills, amongst others.
Tom will succeed current Chair John Booth, who steps down on 31 July 2024.
Reacting to his appointment, Tom said:
“I am honoured to be taking on the Chair role of such an incredible institution that has impacted the lives of so many young people over the past nearly 50 years. I am incredibly optimistic about the potential of young people in the United Kingdom and am excited about how The Prince’s Trust can help them to fulfil their full potential. John’s leadership has been outstanding. I look forward to building on his achievements.”
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