Martin Pugh

Chair of the Board

Martin is an experienced leader of large multi-channel businesses in the leisure and retail sectors, including Virgin Active Health Clubs, Camelot Lotteries, Rank Group plc and Safeway Stores plc. He has held Chair, Non-Executive Director, CEO and Managing Director positions on company boards and industry bodies. He is currently Chair of the Board of Governors at University of Staffordshire and a trustee of Mosaik Education, an NGO that helps refugees gain access to university. Martin recently earned a PhD in History from King’s College London, where he researched the international dimensions of the 1964 Zanzibar Revolution and taught Global History.

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2026

in the UK for Games Education

Rookies Games Design and Development 2023, 2025 & TIGA Best Games Intuition 2024, 2025

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

Research Excellence Framework 2021

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

Research Excellence Framework 2021