George Holmes (vice-chancellor)

George Edward Thomas Holmes DL (born 1 May 1961) is a British academic administrator, previously serving^[1] as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Greater Manchester (2006-2025).

Professor George Holmes DL
Nationality	British
Occupation	Academic administrator
Years active	2006–present
Employer	University of Bolton
Honours	Order of Saint Agatha
Website	www.bolton.ac.uk

Life

Son of a Yorskhire property developer,^[2][3] Holmes graduated with a BSc in Economics (Londin), before receiving a Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) then an Honorary Doctorate of Education (Hon Ed.D.) from Bolton University.^[4]

Principal of Doncaster College,^[4] then Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of North London (now London Metropolitan University),^[4] Holmes has served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bolton since 2006.^[3]

Elected a Fellow of the Institute of Directors,^[4][5][6] Holmes serves as a DL for Greater Manchester since 2015,^[7] and was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Agatha by the Republic of San Marino in 2021 "for charitable work".^[8]

In 1991 he married Elizabeth Chappell.

In 2025, whistleblowers from the University of Greater Manchester alerted online newspaper The Mill to unusual financial activities between Holmes and a senior university executive named Joseph Wheeler.^[9][10] Following the article, local MP Phil Brickell wrote to the Education Secretary and the Office for Students "asking for an independent and thorough investigation into the university".^[10] The University of Greater Manchester confirmed that Wheeler had left the university "with immediate effect" on 7 February 2025 following separate allegations of racism.^[11][12] Following this, it was announced on 13 May 2025 that Holmes had been suspended as Vice-Chancellor.