England's higher education regulator has launched a formal inquiry into the University of Greater Manchester, following a series of escalating allegations involving financial fraud, bribery, and systemic bullying.
Regulator and Police Probe Serious Allegations
The Office for Students (OfS) will examine whether the institution, which rebranded from the University of Bolton last December, has "adequate and effective management and governance arrangements" in place. The probe will also assess its adherence to public interest governance principles. Should breaches of its registration conditions be found, the university could face significant fines or other sanctions.
This regulatory action runs parallel to an ongoing criminal investigation. In May, Greater Manchester Police confirmed they were looking into "allegations of financial irregularities" after reports by the Manchester Mill news site. By July, the force stated its major incident team was investigating "suspected fraud and bribery," having executed searches at seven properties across Greater Manchester and southern England to seize evidence. Discussions have also involved the Serious Fraud Office.
Senior Staff Suspended Amid Internal Investigation
The university's own internal investigation, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, led to the precautionary suspension of three senior figures. These include Sir George Holmes, the vice-chancellor for over two decades, and two other senior staff members. A university spokesperson emphasised that the suspensions do not imply guilt.
According to reports by the Manchester Mill, the allegations centre on attempts to funnel hundreds of thousands of pounds in tuition fees to a private company via a Moroccan recruitment partner, alongside millions paid to the same firm for international marketing. These financial arrangements concerning an "off-campus site" in Morocco, alongside claims of bullying and racism, prompted Bolton West MP Phil Brickell to write to the Department for Education in February, expressing concern over the OfS's perceived lack of urgency.
Staff Vote of No Confidence and Union Concerns
The crisis has severely damaged internal morale. University staff have passed a vote of no confidence in Sir George Holmes and the executive leadership. The University and College Union stated, "We remain extremely concerned about the allegations of racism, financial irregularity, and incompetency levelled at senior leaders. Staff are crying out for honesty and transparency."
The university's controversial name change to the University of Greater Manchester was approved by the OfS in December 2023, despite objections from neighbouring institutions like the University of Manchester. Police lead for crime, Rick Jackson, warned that their investigation is likely to be "a complex and lengthy investigation into serious allegations." No charges have been brought to date.
