Exeter University chancellor Sir Michael Barber joins House of Lords

Sir Michael Barber, Chancellor of the University of Exeter, is set to join the House of Lords after being approved for a life peerage by the King, becoming one of the latest political peers appointed under the new government.

Sir Michael is among 34 new peers announced, including 25 nominated by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in his role as leader of the Labour Party. 

His official citation describes him as a “globally recognised expert in government effectiveness and public service reform”.

Reacting to the appointment, Sir Michael said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to be a voice in Parliament, both for the South West region and for the kind of world-class higher education that the University of Exeter offers.”

Born in Liverpool in 1955, Sir Michael outlined how his career developed from education into public service. 

“I got interested in education after I graduated from university and became a teacher,” he said. 

Speaking with Exeter Today, Michael said that he “worked in education, became a professor of education and wrote books about education. In 1997, I went to work for the Labour government to implement their education reforms.”

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He went on to found the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit in 2001, leading it until 2005, before establishing Delivery Associates in 2013, advising governments around the world on policy implementation. 

From 2017 to 2021, he served as the founding chair of the Office for Students, England’s higher education regulator. 

More recently, he has advised the UK Chancellor on skills and the future economy and currently serves as an adviser to the Prime Minister on effective delivery, as well as the Foreign Secretary’s envoy on governance in the Palestinian Authority.

Sir Michael has lived in North Devon since 2010 and said his personal connection to the region runs deep. 

“My wife and I have lived in North Devon since 2010,” he said. “Before then I lived in London as I was working in Downing Street and government.”

His links with the University of Exeter stretch back many years. 

He explained that while working for former Prime Minister Tony Blair he came to know the university’s then Vice-Chancellor, Steve Smith, and later became more closely involved. 

“After I left working for Blair, Exeter made me an honorary graduate and I was on the governing council for the university,” he said.

 “I’ve known about Exeter for a long time, but I became Chancellor about four years ago.”

Describing the role, Sir Michael said: “Chancellor is kind of an honorary position. My signature is on the degrees and if the Vice-Chancellor asks me for anything I usually give my advice. 

“It’s unpaid work, but I love it. I love being associated with such a fantastic university.”

In the House of Lords, Sir Michael said he wants to ensure the South West is better represented in national decision-making. 

“You hear a lot about the North-South divide, but you hear less about the South West,” he said. 

“The South West economy is changing radically. Exeter University and the Met Office are among the leading environmental researchers on the planet, and those things are very important to the region.”

He added that while his role would be national in scope, regional perspectives would inform his contributions. “I will be voting on all the bills that go through Parliament,” he said. 

“My role is a national one, but in that national role, I’ll bring a South West perspective.”

On the timing of the appointment, Sir Michael said he believed the focus on delivery was particularly important for a new government. 

“Getting things done that actually change people’s lives is hard work,” he said. 

“To be a voice in Parliament on delivery and how you get things done in government – I think that’s the key theme.”

He also reflected on the role of the House of Lords, describing it as a place for scrutiny and refinement. 

“The Lords has a really important role in reviewing legislation that’s come through the Commons and trying to improve it in detail,” he said, adding that debates are often “less party political and more thoughtful”.

Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter, welcomed the appointment. 

She said that Sir Michael has had “a significant impact on our mission to create a greener, healthier, fairer society” and is “a huge advocate and ambassador for the South West”.

Sir Michael said he hopes his peerage will help raise awareness of the region and the university in Westminster and Whitehall. 

“A good university is key to economic growth,” he said. “The South West is lucky to have Exeter, and Exeter is lucky to be part of the South West. It’s a win-win.”

He is expected to take up his seat in the House of Lords in the new year.