Miles Young was an undergraduate historian at New College from 1973 to 1976.
His business career has been spent in advertising and marketing, most recently as Chairman and CEO of Ogilvy and Mather, a leading global communications network.  More than half of that was spent outside the UK, in China, and then in North America.  He retains a strong interest in the issues facing developing countries, especially in Asia.

He returned from New York in September 2016 to take up his post.

Within the University, he is Chair of Voltaire Foundation, Chair of Disability Sub-Group and Chair of Development Panel of the Conference of Colleges.