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Professor Sir Les Ebdon CBE DL is a widely recognised leader in the fields of social mobility, higher education and analytical chemistry. As Director of Fair Access to Higher Education from 2012 to 2018, he enabled the number of disadvantaged students in HE to rise to the highest level ever, including a 53% increase at the most selective universities. An award-winning Analytical Chemist, he has published over 260 refereed publications. He has enjoyed highly successful periods as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Plymouth and as Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Bedfordshire.

From 2003 – 2012 he transformed the reputation of the University and increased student numbers to over 25,000 and the income from £38m to £134m. He has played various national roles in higher education including chairing the University group Million+, for five years, served as a Board member of Universities UK and the Universities and Colleges Employers' Association, as well as chairing the Association of Universities of the East of England for five years.

He was awarded a CBE in 2009 for services to national and local higher education and in 2018 was knighted for services to social mobility and higher education. In 2011 he was appointed HM Deputy Lieutenant of Bedfordshire.

Currently he is Chair of the National Equal Opportunities Network (NEON), the Council of the University Centre Peterborough and is President Elect of the European Association of Professors Emeriti.