THE new Vice-Chancellor at Wrexham University has been confirmed.

Wrexham University say they are "delighted" to announce the appointment of Professor Joe Yates as their new Vice-Chancellor to take over from Professor Maria Hinfelaar following her retirement. 

Professor Yates will join the university this summer, from his current position as Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Arts, Professional and Social Studies and his role as Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Place and Partnership and Liverpool John Moores University.

Professor Yates achieved a BA in History, Politics and Media, and went on to be awarded his DPhil in Criminology and Social Policy in 2007 from De Montfort University.

He spent 15 years working in the social policy and criminal justice field as a social worker, youth worker, youth justice worker and a youth offending manager.

The Leader: Wrexham UniversityWrexham University (Image: Newsquest)

In 2007, he joined Liverpool John Moores University as Head of Criminology where he established and co-directed the Centre for the Study of Crime, Criminalisation and Social Exclusion. In 2011 he was appointed as Director of the School of Humanities and Social Science and led the development of the Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing Studies.

He is currently the Director of an International Youth Justice Symposium at the Inter University Centre in Croatia and the Chair of the Regional Governance Board for Cradle to Career, a grass roots place-based programme that brings people and organisations together to tackle inequalities across the Liverpool City Region.

Professor Yates is a Professor in Criminology and Social policy and has researched and published in the field of youth justice with a particular focus on policy responses to marginalised children involved in crime and antisocial behaviour. 

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Dr Leigh Griffin, Chair of the Board of Governors at Wrexham University, who led the recruitment process and chaired the appointment panel, said: "Professor Joe Yates is an outstanding appointment.

"His breadth of experience, commitment to higher education and his strong values mean that he is the ideal person to take forward the legacy left by Professor Maria Hinfelaar. We look forward to welcoming Joe later this year and working with him on the next chapter for Wrexham University."

The Leader: Professor Maria HinfelaarProfessor Maria Hinfelaar

Professor Yates said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as the next Vice-Chancellor of Wrexham University. Wrexham University has a proud intellectual tradition and a deep sense of purpose. The authentic commitment to inclusion is a key feature of the University and something which I share.

"There is a real sense of excitement and energy around the future of the City and the University.  I am looking forward to being part of Wrexham – working in partnership with staff, students and stakeholders to deliver the skills, innovation and research needed to support inclusive growth and prosperity for future generations in the City, North Wales and the wider region.”

Professor Yates will formally take up the role of Vice-Chancellor at Wrexham University in August 2024.