Wrexham University celebrates inauguration of Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joe Yates

Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Wrexham University has formally inaugurated its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joe Yates in a ceremony that brought together students, staff, community partners and civic leaders to mark the beginning of the next chapter in the institution’s proud history.

Although Professor Yates joined the University in August 2024, the event officially recognised his leadership just over a year into his tenure, offering a chance to reflect on Wrexham University’s journey so far, and outline the institution’s vision in becoming a world-leading, civic university.

It also provided an opportunity to celebrate his own academic, professional and personal journey, which was particularly pertinent as Professor Yates has been featured as a case study in the Sutton Trust’s new Elitist Britain 2025 report published this week, which explores the educational backgrounds of leading figures across the world of politics, media, business, charity, sport, creative and public sectors.

During his inaugural address, Professor Yates reflected on growing up in a deprived area of Liverpool with parents and grandparents who despite having little formal education, had a deep appreciation of learning, culture and debate, which had a profound impact on him.

He shared how he began his career as a qualified social worker and Youth Justice Officer gaining 15 years of frontline experience, before transitioning into academia, where he became Head of Criminology at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and co-founded the Centre for the Study of Crime, Criminalisation and Social Exclusion.

Before joining Wrexham University, Professor Yates also held senior leadership roles at LJMU, including Pro Vice-Chancellor for Place and Partnership and Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professional and Social Studies.

During his address, Professor Yates also outlined his research, which has focused on youth justice and policy responses to marginalised children, as well as advising national bodies such as the Home Office and the Youth Justice Board.

Turning to his motivation for joining Wrexham University, Professor Yates said: “Wrexham University is part of a tradition of providing education for working people, for first generation students, and I believe that’s important. I believe in universities like Wrexham because I understand the transformational impact that education can have.

“I owe my own academic career to places like Wrexham, and my story and the story of my family are interwoven with them.”

Professor Yates also shared his reflections following his first year at the University.

“Our people here at Wrexham are a huge asset. Their levels of engagement, their resilience and their commitment, pride and alignment with the University and its mission is impressive,” he said.

“It’s a hugely powerful base for the University to move into its next phase of development to keep growing, to keep improving and to maximise its value as an anchor institution.

“Our values and ambition for the communities we serve in North Wales, and the strong commitment to social justice, inclusion and future generations is powerful.

“It’s clear to me after a year at Wrexham University that it has an unswerving commitment to inclusion and our community.”

He went on to outline his vision to take the institution to 2030, centred around three core goals: providing an excellent student-centred experience; being an anchor and beacon university for Wales; and driving successful innovation and transformation.

Speaking about the vision, he said: “Our vision and strategy is our North Star – it is our shared commitment to becoming a world-leading, modern, civic university.

“Grounded in our values of excellence, inclusion, collaboration, transformation and sustainability, we will provide students with opportunities and growth, as well as strengthen our partnerships that drive skills and innovation across our region, and foster research that has real-world impact.

“By embracing our Welsh language, culture and identity, and also invest in sustainable estates and digital infrastructure, we have all the components to serve our community proudly and also make an impact globally.”

Dr Leigh Griffin, Chair of Wrexham University’s Board of Governors, with Professor Joe Yates, Wrexham University Vice-Chancellor

Dr Leigh Griffin, Chair of Wrexham University’s Board of Governors, added: “I’m extremely proud that we have inaugurated Professor Yates as Vice-Chancellor of Wrexham University. This is a significant milestone in our university’s journey; it’s a moment that marks an incredibly exciting next chapter for us.

“The Vice-Chancellor is a role of profound responsibility – to lead with vision, integrity, and compassion; to champion academic excellence; and to guide our institution through the opportunities and challenges that we face.

“Wrexham University is a university that reflects the community it serves, and is hungry with ambition and constantly evolving. Professor Yates understands the civic power of the city, and his leadership truly embodies our mission to serve Wrexham and beyond.”

Some of the dignitaries in attendance at the ceremony were Mayor of Wrexham, Councillor Tina Mannering; Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council; and Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales.

Two of the University’s Honorary Fellows were also present, including Rachel Clacher OBE, Chair of Wrexham City Board; and Lord Barry Jones, President of the Mersey Dee Alliance.