University of Greater Manchester suspends vice-chancellor amid allegations of corruption and misconduct

The University of Greater Manchester has suspended its vice-chancellor, Professor George Holmes, after two investigations exposed potential incidents of financial and ethical malpractice.

The university, formerly known as the University of Bolton, issued a statement on Tuesday 13 May confirming that Holmes, the provost, and a senior academic staff member were suspended as a “precautionary measure”.

The suspensions came on the back of an independent report conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on behalf of the university and an investigation by The Mill, a local newspaper.

The Mill’s investigation unearthed evidence of corruption involving university executives funnelling hundreds of thousands of pounds into a private company owned by one of them.

Recent reports published by The Manchester Mill about racism, financial misconduct and bullying at the University of Greater Manchester […] have significantly damaged the reputation of that institution over the last few weeks

Phil Brickell, Labour MP for Bolton West

An investigation has also been launched by Greater Manchester Police in light of “allegations of financial irregularities” raised by PwC and The Mill.

In March, Lucy Powell, the Leader of the House of Commons, said that the police and the Office for Students were investigating “very serious allegations” in response to a question from Phil Brickell, the Labour MP for Bolton West.

Brickell told the Commons: “Recent reports published by The Manchester Mill about racism, financial misconduct and bullying at the University of Greater Manchester in Bolton have significantly damaged the reputation of that institution over the last few weeks.

“Those reports have also led to a significant number of whistleblowers contacting me with further allegations highlighting concerning practices at the university.”

The Mill reported on a crisis of confidence within the university executive, with an “internal power struggle” breaking out when the newspaper’s findings were published and Holmes did not resign.

This is not the first time Holmes has courted controversy during his 20-year tenure at Greater Manchester – his role in the renaming of the university caused confusion and prompted a legal challenge

Jo Grady, the General Secretary of the University and College Union, said: “The University of Greater Manchester’s suspension of vice-chancellor George Holmes and two further members of staff is long overdue and comes after our members overwhelmingly passed a motion of no confidence in him and his executive leadership team.”

This is not the first time Holmes has courted controversy during his 20-year tenure at Greater Manchester – his role in the renaming of the university caused confusion and prompted a legal challenge.

The university’s statement stressed that the suspensions “do not imply any assumption of guilt” and added: “The university has taken this step to ensure a fair and transparent process.

“As the university’s internal procedures, involving all relevant parties, have now begun, we are not able to comment further until such matters are concluded.”

Dr Greg Walker, the university’s pro-vice-chancellor, has been appointed as an acting vice-chancellor and interim accountable officer while the investigation is ongoing.