In 1609 he became Master of Christ's College, where he had been a Fellow from 1597 to 1600.

He was Master of Christ's College, Cambridge from 1927 to 1936.

He was the first avowed anti-papist "reformer" to become Master of St. John's College.

He was welcomed back and elected Master of his old College, St. John's on 28 September 1553.

In December 2006 he was elected 37th Master of Christ's College, Cambridge.

He was Master of St Mark's College from 2000 to 2007.

He was Master of St John's College, from 12 May 1554 to 20 July 1559.

He was Master of Christ's College from 1978 to 1982.

He served as the first Master of St Peter's College, Oxford upon its founding in 1929 by his father.

From 1982 to 1995 he was Master of Christ's College, Cambridge.