George Edward Thomas Holmes (born 1 May 1961) is a British academic administrator, previously serving as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Greater Manchester (2006-2025).
Son of a Yorskhire property developer, Holmes graduated with a BSc in Economics (Londin), before receiving a Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) then an Honorary Doctorate of Education (Hon Ed.D.) from Bolton University.
Principal of Doncaster College, then Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of North London (now London Metropolitan University), Holmes has served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bolton since 2006.
Elected a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, Holmes serves as a DL for Greater Manchester since 2015, and was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Agatha by the Republic of San Marino in 2021 "for charitable work".
In 1991 he married Elizabeth Chappell.
In 2025, whistleblowers from the University of Greater Manchester alerted online newspaper The Mill to unusual financial activities between Holmes and a senior university executive named Joseph Wheeler. Following the article, local MP Phil Brickell wrote to the Education Secretary and the Office for Students "asking for an independent and thorough investigation into the university". The University of Greater Manchester confirmed that Wheeler had left the university "with immediate effect" on 7 February 2025 following separate allegations of racism. Following this, it was announced on 13 May 2025 that Holmes had been suspended as Vice-Chancellor.