The board of trustees voted on 26 May at a meeting in Oviedo to make the appointment effective from 15 December 2022.
This is an honorary position that entails nurturing relationships with civil society, and hosting the Princess of Asturias Annual Awards, which is usually held at the end of October and conferred to scientists, artists, writers, and global leaders.
“I am honoured and thrilled to assume this position,” he said of his appointment.
Professor Stephen J Toope, Vice-Chancellor, said: “Through its annual prize, the Princess of Asturias Royal Foundation celebrates excellence in human endeavour. I am delighted that Mauro has been named as its next President. His appointment is a tribute to Mauro, and brings honour to the University of Cambridge, many members of which have won the Princess of Asturias Prize in the past.”
Nine former winners have been affiliated with the University of Cambridge. They include:
- Mary Beard, Historian, 2016 Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences
- Anthony Giddens, Sociologist, 2002 Prince of Asturias Award for Social Sciences
- Stephen Hawking, Physicist, 1989 Prince of Asturias Award for Concord
- Peter Lawrence, Biologist, 2007 Prince of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research
- Amartya Sen, Economist and Philosopher, 2021 Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences
- George Steiner, Writer and Literary Critic, 2001 Prince of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities
- John Sulston, Chemist, 2001 Prince of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research
- Gregory Winter, Geneticist, 2007 Prince of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research
- Camfed, Cambridge-based campaign for Female Education and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research.
Mauro will be the sixth president of the Princess of Asturias Foundation – following:
- Luis Fernández-Vega Sanz (2018-present)
- Matías Rodríguez Inciarte (2008-2018)
- José Ramón Álvarez Rendueles (1996-2008)
- Plácido Arango Arias (1987-1996)
- Pedro Masaveu Peterson (1980-1987).