The roots of the University of Wolverhampton lie in the 19th century growth of Mechanics Institutes, providing vocational and general education for working men.In Wolverhampton the Free Library (1870) developed technical, scientific, commercial and general classes, while a School of Art, established in 1851, had been developed into the Municipal School for Art in new buildings by 1885. Becoming a Polytechnic in 1969, the University was set up in 1992.As the University of Opportunity, Wolverhampton is committed to leading the regeneration of the West Midlands region, generating inward investment and engaging with business and industry. The University’s research has a real impact on society – whether investigating new treatments for cancer, studying the physical or psychological challenges involved in sporting success or looking at the issues surrounding organ donation.Having recently committed to investing £250 million in new state-of-the-art facilities across its campuses in Wolverhampton, Walsall, Telford, Burton and Hereford, the University also has a global outlook, seeking out new opportunities for students, staff and graduates internationally, creating opportunities to access higher education and helping to develop the skills agenda.www.wlv.ac.ukProfessor Geoff Layer – Vice-Chancellor of the University of WolverhamptonHailing from the North East of England, Geoff graduated from Newcastle Polytechnic with a degree in law. He embarked on a teaching and research career, working in Manchester and Luton before joining Sheffield Business School as a law lecturer.Whilst at Sheffield Hallam University he established a suite of access and student support initiatives which enhanced the institution’s national reputation for inclusive learning. He was an adviser to a range of national quality assurance and educational development initiatives and became Professor of Lifelong Learning in 1996.In 1999 he joined the University of Bradford as Director of the Centre for Continuing Education. He was the founding Dean of the School of Lifelong Education and Development in 2001, and became Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) in 2004 before becoming Deputy Vice-Chancellor in 2011.During his career, Geoff has worked closely with HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council for England) on its Widening Participation Strategy. He has served as a member of the West Yorkshire Learning and Skills Council and was a Careers Bradford Board member as well as sitting on the Bradford Employment and Skills Board. Nationally he served as a Director of Higher Education Research Opportunities Ltd and was a Trustee of the National Open College Network.Professor Layer is also the Chair of the Steering Group of the HEFCE Funded Centre for Sustainable Procurement. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and was awarded the OBE for services to Higher Education in 2003.