Main content

Simon Woolley, crossbench peer

Lord Simon Woolley, crossbench peer, shares the eight tracks, book and luxury item he would take with him if cast away to a desert island. With Lauren Laverne.

Simon Woolley, Lord Woolley of Woodford, is principal of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔrton College at Cambridge University. He is the first black man to head an Oxbridge college. He is a co-founder of Operation Black Vote, which campaigns for greater inclusivity in politics, and became a crossbench peer in 2019.

Simon spent his early years in an orphanage in Leicester before being fostered and then adopted by a white couple who also adopted his brother Mick. He left school at 16 to work as a car mechanic and then moved to London where he embarked on a successful career in sales. In 1988 he completed a one year access course which provided the pathway to university and a degree in English and Spanish.

In 1996 Simon was one of the co-founders of Operation Black Vote, a non-partisan organisation which encourages voter registration and community engagement, aiming to give a voice to all sections of society.

He was awarded a knighthood for services to race equality in 2019 and took up his current role as principal of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔrton College in 2021.

DISC ONE: I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
DISC TWO: Green Green Grass of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ - Tom Jones
DISC THREE: Manhattan - Ella Fitzgerald
DISC FOUR: Titanium (Morten Future Rave Mix) - David Guetta (feat Sia)
DISC FIVE: Hagamos Lo Que Diga El CorazΓ³n - Grupo Niche
DISC SIX: Dreamland – Composed and performed by Alexis Ffrench and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by James Morgan
DISC SEVEN: Cowboy bebop tank! - Niyari
DISC EIGHT: For Once in My Life - Stevie Wonder

BOOK CHOICE: Football in Sun and Shadow by Eduardo Galeano
LUXURY ITEM: A razor blade
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: For Once in My Life - Stevie Wonder

Presenter Lauren Laverne
Producer Paula McGinley

Available now

36 minutes

Last on

Fri 28 Jul 2023 09:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Jill Scott, footballer

Next

Toto Wolff, Formula 1 executive

See all episodes from Desert Island Discs

Music Played

  • The Jacksons

    I Want You Back

    • Jackson 5 Greatest Hits.
    • Tamla Motown.
    • 1.

  • Tom Jones

    Green Green Grass of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

    • Things That Matter Most To Me.
    • Special Products.
    • 10.

  • Ella Fitzgerald

    Manhattan

    • Essential Ella.
    • Verve Reissues.
    • 1.

  • David Guetta

    Titanium (Morten Future Rave Mix) (feat. Sia)

    • Rhino.

  • Grupo Niche

    Hagamos Lo Que Diga El CorazΓ³n

    • The Best.
    • Sony Tropical.
    • 2.

  • Alexis Ffrench, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, James Morgan

    Dreamland

    • Dreamland.
    • Sony Classical.
    • 1.

  • Niyari

    Cowboy bebop Tank!

  • Stevie Wonder

    For Once In My Life

    • The Definitive Collection.
    • UNI/MOTOWN.
    • 1.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 23 Jul 2023 11:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 FM
  • Fri 28 Jul 2023 09:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

The Desert Island Discs podcast

The Desert Island Discs podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes.

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.

Articles

Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.

Podcast