Sir Martin Narey joins Manchester Metropolitan as Visiting Professor

Sir Martin Narey

Manchester Metropolitan University is delighted to welcome Sir Martin Narey as a Visiting Professor at its Policy Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU).

Martin was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt) in 2012 by Manchester Met for his distinguished achievements in the field of social reform and outstanding commitment to the welfare of children.

He began his working life in the NHS then trained as a prison governor. He became Head of the Prison Service in 1998. Following the merger of the Prison and Probation Services in 2003 he became the first Chief Executive of the National Offender Management Service (recently renamed as HM Prison and Probation Service). He became the Chief Executive of Barnados in 2005. When he left in 2011 he was immediately commissioned by The Times to write a major report on adoption. At about the same time he was invited by Michael Gove to become the so-called Adoption Czar.

He now advises The Ministry of Justice about penal issues and the Department for Education (DfE) about children’s social care issues as well as Chairing The Brain Tumour Charity and The Portman Group.

Policy input

In 2014 he published a report 'Making the education of social workers consistently effective' commissioned by the DfE which recommended: greater rigour in social work education, a sharper focus on practical skills and offering places only to the very best students. 

In June 2016 he completed a major review commissioned by the then Prime Minister David Cameron and Nicky Morgan at the DfE, of children’s homes in England and how outcomes for the 9,000 children who live in them might be improved. All his recommendations have been accepted by the Government.

In his role as Visiting Professor, Martin will be providing strategic advice on policy developments and as well as contributing to events and publications.

Sir Martin is looking forward to his role as Visiting Professor at PERU. 

He said: “I am delighted and honoured to be offered a visiting Professorship with PERU at Manchester Met. I hope that I can make a useful contribution to a University which I have long admired."

Professor Chris Fox, Director of PERU, added: “Sir Martin has been a key figure in criminal justice and social justice policy over many years and we are delighted that we will have the opportunity to work with him on a range of projects.”