ALAN Rusbridger is to become the principal of a University of Oxford college after stepping down as editor-in-chief of the Guardian.

He will take on the role at Lady Margaret Hall (LMH), based in Norham Gardens, next October. It will follow his departure from the top job at the newspaper in summer 2015.

Mr Rusbridger, who announced his Guardian resignation last week, said: "I am honoured that the Fellows of Lady Margaret Hall have elected me to be their next principal.

"LMH is a pioneering college, beginning with its roots as the first to admit women to study at Oxford. Its history is an inspiring one of intellectual distinction and of opening up equal educational and career possibilities.

"I am looking forward very much to joining the college next autumn and to building on the tremendous achievements of Frances Lannon, who has led LMH with such distinction over the past 13 years."

Mr Rusbridger is also taking over as chairman of the Scott Trust, which owns Guardian Media Group.

He joined the paper as a reporter in 1979 and became editor in 1995 succeeding Peter Preston.

A statement by Lady Margaret Hall said that Mr Rusbridger has been a visiting or honorary professor at Queen Mary’s College in London, Cardiff University and Nuffield College, Oxford. 

The college's first principal was Elizabeth Wordsworth, who served in the role from its founding in 1879 until 1909. 

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