University appoints new Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Professor Ann Holmes is currently the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Quality Assurance & Enhancement) and the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Law and Social Sciences at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Professor Holmes will take up her role as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) in September 2011.

The appointment marks a welcome return to the University for Ann, who graduated with a BA (Hons) in Law in 1975 from what was then Wolverhampton Polytechnic. She went on to complete a MPhil in Competition Law in 1979.

Professor Holmes said: “I am looking forward to joining the management team at the University. Although Higher Education faces significant challenges, I believe that the University is well positioned to further develop its reputation as a leading provider of high quality education for all at regional, national and international levels.”

Vice-Chancellor Designate, Professor Geoff Layer, joins the University in August 2011. He said: “We are delighted to have appointed Professor Ann Holmes to the post of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) from a strong field of candidates.

“Professor Holmes will drive forward the academic development of the institution and I look forward to working with her as the University moves forward.”

In addition to the degrees from Wolverhampton, Professor Ann Holmes also has a Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety from Aston University. Prior to pursuing a career in higher education, she spent five years working for the Health and Safety Executive in the West Midlands as an HM Inspector of Factories.

Until October 2006, Ann Holmes was Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law at Staffordshire University, becoming Head of Law at MMU for a short period before being appointed Dean and Pro-Vice-Chancellor in June 2007.

Well-published, her research specialty lies in the field of harassment and discrimination law. She serves on the Executive of the Committee of Heads of University Law Schools and is a QAA Auditor, having been involved in institutional and collaborative audits for QAA as well as degree-awarding powers assessments.

Professor Holmes continues to work with the HEA Law Subject Centre at the University of Warwick, and the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Ann has two sons in their early twenties, enjoys horse riding and is a lifelong supporter of West Bromwich Albion.

ENDS

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