The Staffordshire Lieutenancy
Professor Elizabeth Barnes CBE is the Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire. She started this role on 15 July 2025.
Before becoming Lord-Lieutenant, Liz worked in education. She began as a PE and Maths teacher at Longton High School in Stoke-on-Trent and Bilbrook Middle School. Later, she moved into higher education and worked in four universities for nearly 35 years. Liz finished her full-time career as Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of Staffordshire University.
Liz has always helped in her community. She has volunteered and been a trustee for many charities and organisations. Early in her career, she coached county netball teams and was a netball umpire. More recently, she has been part of five Multi-Academy Trusts, co-chaired the Opportunity Area for Schools in Stoke-on-Trent, and is Vice Chair of Aspire Housing.
Liz spent 23 years in the North East. There, she was a Non-Executive Director for University Hospitals Tees and a Governor for Sunderland University.
As Vice Chancellor of Staffordshire University, Liz was on the Board for the Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership. She led the skills group, helping people get jobs and improve their skills. She was also on Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Children’s Services Improvement Board and the Board for the Donna Louise Trust. In 2020, Liz became a Deputy Lieutenant in Staffordshire. After retiring in 2021, Staffordshire University gave her an Honorary Doctorate, and she is still an Emeritus Professor of the University.
In 2019, Liz was awarded a CBE for her work in higher education. She was a Board Member for Universities UK, Vice Chair for the Million Plus Universities’ Mission Group, and a Trustee for JISC, which provides IT networks for universities and colleges. She also served as a Governor for Middlesex University and is now on the Board for the Lifelong Learning Institute.
Since becoming Lord-Lieutenant, Liz has been active in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. She has taken on trustee roles and become a patron for local groups and charities, including:
- President – Staffordshire Scouts
- Patron – Blood Bikes
- Patron – Friends Trust
- Patron – Lichfield Science and Engineering
- Ex-officio Trustee – Beaudesert Outdoor Activity Centre
Vice Lord-Lieutenant
The Vice Lord-Lieutenant is chosen by the Lord-Lieutenant, with the King’s approval, from one of the Deputy Lieutenants. If the Lord-Lieutenant is away, ill, or cannot attend an event, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant takes their place. Usually, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant steps down when a new Lord-Lieutenant is appointed, but sometimes they can stay longer if the Lord-Lieutenant agrees.
Vice Lord-Lieutenants, like Lord-Lieutenants, retire at age 75.
The Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire is Mr Graham Morley, DL. He was appointed on 30 April 2023 after Mr James Leavesley DL finished his service.
Mr Morley became a Deputy Lieutenant in 2014. He has helped promote and support the Lieutenancy in education across Staffordshire. He has worked in many education roles, including being Principal of South Staffordshire College.
Deputy Lieutenants
Lord-Lieutenants also choose Deputy Lieutenants. The number depends on the size of the county. In Staffordshire, there can be up to 58 Deputy Lieutenants. They are appointed by the Lord-Lieutenant, unless the King does not approve. Deputy Lieutenants have the letters 'DL' after their name. You can view a full list of Deputy Lieutenants.
