Bill Broadbent: Honorary Member 2013 and Honorary Life Vice-President of Vincent's Club

All Vincent's members will be saddened to hear of the death of Bill Broadbent in September 2021. Bill and his family; wife Camille, son Will, and daughter Avery; are great supporters of the Vincent's Awards, as well as many other Oxford projects.

It is wonderful news that shortly before he died Bill was informed that he had been awarded the Distinguished Friend of Oxford award. No recipient has ever deserved it more. The citation reads:

Mr William Broadbent (non-alumnus)

The University community was deeply saddened to learn that Mr William Broadbent passed away in September.  He had learned of his selection to receive the DFO before he died, and expressed his happiness and appreciation at being recognized with the award.
 
Bill Broadbent was a friend of Oxford in the truest sense of the word.  While he never matriculated at the University, he was the proud parent of two Oxonians, and an engaged volunteer. Based on his generosity and the significant time and energy he put into forming events for Christ Church, Teddy Hall, and University Sport, Mr Broadbent was the first non-Oxonian to be elected to the Board of Americans for Oxford (AFO), and he remains the only person who was not an Oxford graduate to serve in this capacity.
 
A generous benefactor, Mr Broadbent funded a Junior Research Fellowship that is shared by Christ Church and St Edmund Hall.  In addition to his work on behalf of the colleges his children attended, he was also a generous supporter of the Rothermere American Institute (RAI).  He helped to promote its programs in North America and developed close working relationships with Directors of the RAI and members of its academic community. 
 
Mr Broadbent was an avid supporter of Oxford Sport in general, as well as Real Tennis and the Vincent’s Club, in particular.  He funded four Vincent’s Sport Scholarships that make annual awards to student-athletes who demonstrate a financial need.  He and his family also played a leading role in refurbishing the players lounge linked to Real Tennis.  His thoughtfulness and generosity of spirit will be greatly missed.