Geoff Layer
Externally Co-opted Trustee
Geoff Layer recently retired as Vice Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton, having worked for over 40 years in post compulsory education. He is now working on strategic development for Coventry University.
He graduated in Law at Newcastle Polytechnic in 1977. He first taught on a WEA/TUC course at Consett Steelworks in 1978, he then taught in FE in Manchester and Luton then joined Sheffield Hallam University from 1983 to 1999 and took on institutional wide roles in developing widening participation strategies, modular degree programmes and established a disabled student support service.
Geoff moved to the University of Bradford and later became its Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic). Whilst at Bradford he was seconded to HEFCE to develop their approach to widening participation and shaped its Aim Higher Programme.
He became Vice Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton in 2011 becoming its longest serving Vice Chancellor when he retired in 2021.
