Ian Blachford

Chief Operating Officer

Executive Office

Ian is the Chief Operating Officer at University of Staffordshire and a member of the University’s Executive Team.

Ian’s areas of responsibility are leading the following functions across the University: Human Resources and Organisational Development, Corporate Information, Legal Services, Health, Safety & Wellbeing, Business Risk, Strategic Project Management, and Equality & Diversity. In addition, he is also the Clerk to the Board of Governors and Executive Lead for Union relations.

Ian went to the University of Hull to study a BA(Hons) Business Studies in 1990. After graduating in 1993 he continued his studies and gained an MA in Human Resource Management.

He went on to work in a number of areas of the public sector including district, county and unitary councils, all within the field of personnel/human resources. In 1997 Ian became the Head of Human Resources for a college of Further Education, before leaving and joining the University as Personnel Manager in 2001. Since then he has been Head of Personnel (2003), Director of Human Resources (2004), Chief Operating Officer and a member of Executive since 2007.

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021