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Press release

Appointment of Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire: 15 April 2025

The King has been pleased to appoint Professor Elizabeth Barnes, CBE, DL, as His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of the County of Staffordshire.

This was published under the 2024 to 2026 Starmer Labour government

The King has been pleased to appoint Professor Elizabeth Barnes, CBE, DL, as His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the County of Staffordshire on the retirement of Sir Ian Dudson, KCVO, CBE, on 15th July, 2025.

Liz Barnes (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.

Updates to this page

Published 15 April 2025