Cambridge Judge Business School Seeks MoU with Saudi Defence Ministry

The proposal was introduced via the UK Ministry of Defence. Participants include Prof Deborah Prentice, council members, student Darragh O’Reilly, Director David Whitaker, a business-school spokesperson, and the Saudi civilian branch.

The Guardian

January 2026 the benefactions committee approved the MoU request; the school presented the plan as aligned with UK interests; dissent was reported in May 2026. Executive MBA tuition £98,000; global MBA £107,000; contract value undisclosed.

The Guardian

Business school says no MoU signed. Whitaker says proposal aligns with university mission and UK strategy. Benefactions committee says agreement acceptable if civilian-only and routed via Saudi Institute.

The Guardian

Senior academic warned the “most murderous regime in the world” breaches Cambridge’s commitments to freedom of thought, expression and non-discrimination. Darragh O’Reilly called the deal “a very serious error of judgment” and warned governance is “on the verge of collapse.”

The Guardian

Business school claims no MoU exists, but committee minutes record a request to enter an MoU, creating a factual discrepancy. No public details on contract’s financial terms, civilian-only enforcement, or academic-freedom safeguards.

The Guardian

• “I am deeply worried that the university regulator is asleep at the wheel. Our governing statutes are being constantly reinterpreted by senior staff, there is an increasingly uncomfortable atmosphere in our council meetings [and] the accountability mechanisms are broken.” — Darragh O’Reilly, Student Representative, Governing Council

The Guardian

• “Cambridge Judge business school has not signed such an MoU [memorandum of understanding] with the Saudi Arabia defence ministry.” — Spokesperson, Judge Business School

The Guardian

• “The proposal aligned with the university’s mission to benefit society through education and was strategically aligned with the UK government.” — David Whitaker, Director of Alumni Relations and External Engagement

The Guardian

University regulators and faculty bodies will review the partnership for compliance with Cambridge’s statutes on academic freedom and reputational risk; future foreign-consultancy agreements may face tighter oversight.

The Guardian