Regulators open inquiry into University of Greater Manchester amid fraud claims | Office for Students
The University of Greater Manchester is being investigated by the UK’s higher education regulator over mounting allegations of financial abuse, bribery and bullying.
The Office for Students will examine whether the former University of Bolton had “adequate and effective management and governance arrangements” as well as guidance supporting public interest management principles.
If the university is found to have breached one or more conditions of its registration with the OfS, the university may be subject to fines or sanctions.
In May, Greater Manchester police officers confirmed they were investigating “allegations of financial irregularities” following the incident. Comprehensive report from Manchester Mill news site.
Sir George Holmes, the university’s vice-chancellor for more than 20 years, has been suspended, along with two senior staff, following an internal investigation by PricewaterhouseCoopers, commissioned by the university.
In July, Greater Manchester police said detectives and investigators from its major incident team had been arrested. “Suspicion of fraud and bribery” is being investigated and had searched seven properties in Greater Manchester and the south of England to gather evidence. It was reported in August that the Serious Fraud Office was in talks with police regarding the investigation.
Rick Jackson, Manchester police’s crime, intelligence and forensics officer, said it was likely to be a “complex and lengthy investigation into serious allegations of fraud and bribery”. No charges were made.
Manchester Mill had reported that senior staff tried to send hundreds of thousands of pounds in training fees to a private company through a recruitment partner in Morocco and tried to pay the same company millions of pounds in international marketing fees.
Bolton West MP Phil Brickell wrote to the Department for Education in February about his concerns about the university’s financial arrangements for “off-campus space” in Morocco and allegations of bullying and racism. Brickell told education minister Bridget Phillipson that she was “disappointed with the lack of urgency from the Office for Students” in investigating the matters.
University staff voted no confidence in Holmes and the university’s management, and the University and College Union said: “We are extremely concerned about allegations of racism, financial irregularity and incompetence against senior leaders. Staff are crying out for honesty and transparency and we now await a full explanation of the circumstances and allegations.”
When Holmes and two other staff members were suspended, a university spokesman said: “These suspensions are precautionary measures and do not imply any presumption of guilt.”
In December last year, the change of the university’s name from Bolton to Greater Manchester was approved by the OfS, despite complaints from neighboring institutions including the University of Manchester.
