16 April 2025
King Charles has appointed Professor Elizabeth Barnes as the new Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire
King Charles has appointed University of Sunderland Governor Professor Elizabeth (Liz) Barnes, CBE, DL, as His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the County of Staffordshire.
She will take over the role from Sir Ian Dudson, KCVO, CBE, who will retire on July 15, 2025.
Liz, 64, served as Vice-Chancellor of Staffordshire University for six years, overseeing a leap in its learning and teaching standards and championing social mobility.
Born and bred in the county, she is a Trustee of the Peter Coates Foundation, which aims to regenerate Stoke-on-Trent, and of the Aspire Trust, which provides social housing across Staffordshire.
Previously a teacher in Stoke-on-Trent, she has also co-chaired the Stoke-on-Trent Opportunity Area; been a Director of the Donna Louise Trust, providing end-of-life care across the county; and served on the board of the Local Enterprise Partnership and on the Stoke-on-Trent Children’s Services Improvement Board.
Professor Barnes lives in Abbots Bromley, near Rugeley, with her husband, Chris.