Claire came to Corpus from a comprehensive school in the Midlands, where a Cambridge education was far from being the norm. She explains that joining a small College like Corpus really helped her integration. “We got to meet everyone, from all backgrounds, it was a real melting pot.”

Claire felt instantly at home at Corpus, “I loved it from the minute I arrived; I had found my tribe. I had no idea what to expect but it was real leveller, no one was judging me for being the academic one because we were all academic. At last, people’s other attributes could shine through.”

She speaks fondly of her first interaction with a Corpuscle, a fellow NatSci student also called Claire, helping each other carry boxes up X staircase. A friendship that has blossomed through the decades, with her first Corpus friend going on to become godmother to her first child.

“There were some great characters among the Fellows. Alison Smith was inspiring as a relatable, personable and engaging Fellow. Chris Howe was impressive as a Tutor and Oliver Rackham was a real character. Michael Tanner used to open all the windows and share his love of Wagner with everyone out on Old Court lawn.”

Claire moved into investment banking on leaving Corpus, securing multiple job offers in the milk round, originally motivated by trying to prove to her then boyfriend that – despite his scepticism - it was indeed a possible career for a woman with a comprehensive school background who was studying Physiology not Economics.

After 10 years in banking, Claire went on to build her career working in disruptive tech companies, - companies employing new technology to completely change the way different industries operated, for the better, including on the executive team at Skype, as CEO of HelloFresh UK and NotOnTheHighStreet and on the board of Trustpilot plc.

Disrupting the status quo is a theme that runs throughout Claire’s academic and professional life, from applying to Cambridge from a comprehensive school (rarer in those days than now), to seeking out a role in the male-dominated investment banking sector, to leading companies changing the face of their industry.

Eight years ago, Claire co-founded – with eight other women CEOs - Witsend (witsend.online), a now-thriving network for senior women in tech, whose purpose is essentially to “put the ladder back down”, sharing information, experience and connections with up and coming women leaders from all backgrounds, making sure that more people have more access to great opportunities in the sector.

“I’ve always hated the idea that some avenues might be closed to people because of where they were born, what gender they are or what their parents did or didn’t do for a living. Fighting for equity of opportunity is something that has driven me my whole life. I think my great experience at Corpus gave me confidence that, when you do pursue these avenues, they’re more open than you might think from the outside and everyone has something to contribute and a role to play”.