The Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership Awards 2023 have concluded, and we’re thrilled to present the accomplished Winners. Watch the highlights video below.
The collaborative partnerships forged through the KTP Programme wield a profound influence not only on the individuals and organisations involved, but also on our daily lives and the global community.
We would like to thank everyone who joined us for the ceremony on October 18th in Cardiff, whether in person or virtually. It was an evening to recognise and celebrate the projects and partnerships, while shining a spotlight on the far-reaching impact achieved across the diverse sectors and programmes.
We also extend our gratitude to our speakers: Vaughan Gething, Minister for Economy, Welsh Government; Steve Welch, Director of place, skills and knowledge transfer, Innovate UK KTN; and our evening’s host, Suzannah Lipscomb.
If you were unable to attend the Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership Awards this year, catch everything that you missed by watching the recorded livestream.
Partnerships should demonstrate excellent achievements across all three Partners: Business; Academic; Associate. Partnerships must be able to demonstrate how they have gone beyond the aims and objectives stated in the original proposal.
Winner:
Mechatherm International Limited in collaboration with Aston University Associate: Suyesh Bhattarai
Finalists:
ActiveQuote Ltd in collaboration with Cardiff University – Associate: Eleni Sofroniou
Consult Lift Services in collaboration with the University of the West of Scotland – Associate: Shu Yang
Innerva in collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University – Associate: Matthew Holland
Partnerships should demonstrate excellence in the application of science, technology, engineering or maths. Contribution to the evolution of the field and the research interests of the academic team must also be showcased.
Winner:
Ove Arup Partners International Ltd in collaboration with University of Manchester – Associate: Christopher Hickey
Finalists:
Almac Sciences in collaboration with Queens University Belfast – Associate: Gary Morrison
GeoAcoustics Ltd in collaboration with University of East Anglia – Associate: Danny Websdale
Partnerships should demonstrate significant new capability to manage the business. The impact should be across the whole business and be based on the adoption of new skills in some of the following: strategic management, management sciences, digital transformation, strategic marketing, internationalisation, performance management.
Winner:
Finishing Line Ltd in collaboration with University of Essex – Associate: Joshua Arrowsmith
Finalists:
Albion Environmental Ltd in collaboration with University of the West of Scotland – Associate: Heather Beattie
Harris Evolution Ltd in collaboration with University of the West of England – Associate: Mayowa Olanrewaju
The business partner must demonstrate significant ongoing impact from their KTP and substantial and sustained transformation of the business resulting from the project.
Winner:
SBS Insurance Services Limited in collaboration with Birmingham City University – Associate: Borislav Yordanov
Finalists:
Life Sciences Group Ltd with Coventry University – Associate: Emma Buick
Qualasept Limited in collaboration with University of Bath – Associate: Benjamin Young
Partnerships should demonstrate the wider impact of their KTP, including projects that have delivered a societal, social, or environmental impact. Applications should showcase how they have contributed to making our world a better place.
No finalists announced
This year, we have decided not to proceed with the Changing the World award. Unfortunately, the applications we received did not meet the required criteria for the award. We look forward to welcoming this category back next year.
The application must showcase a KTP Associate who has shown exceptional skills, above and beyond normal expectations. Demonstrating excellence in delivery of their innovation project, in contributing to the commercial strategy, and in project management and leadership.
Winners:
ART Health Solutions Ltd in collaboration with University of Northumbria at Newcastle – Associate: Rohit Venugopal
Fujitsu Limited in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University – Associate: Jacqueline Joyce
Gleeds Cost Management Limited in collaboration with University of Nottingham – Associate: Alexandra Spencer
I Want Plants Ltd in collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University – Associate: Joseph Rouse
Industrial Robotic Solutions Limited in collaboration with The University of Essex – Associate: Rodolfo Cuan Urquizo
Quick Release in collaboration with University of Bath – Associate: Harley Beattie
XAIS Asset Management Limited in collaboration with University of Nottingham – Associate: Leornardo Rodrigues
The application must showcase an academic who has demonstrated exceptional skills and commitment in knowledge translation, leadership, team building and mentoring.
Winner:
Professor Eyad Elyan at Robert Gordon University
Finalists:
Professor Naeem Ramzan at University of the West of Scotland
Professor Rakesh Mishra at University of Huddersfield
Showcases a high performing KB team that has been proactive and innovative in engaging and capitalising on the opportunities offered by participation in the KTP Programme. Activities highlighted may be internally focused within a KB or externally focused on business engagement or a combination of both.
Winner:
Aston University KTP Support Team
Finalists:
Leeds Beckett University KTP Support Team
The University of Essex KTP Support Team
"KTP projects pave the way to businesses who want to exploit the latest advancements but do not have the expertise or confidence to do so. Through input from academic experts advising on the latest research in the field, and unrelenting support and guidance from Innovate UK [KTN], success is way more attainable."
Head of Data Science, Charles Clinkard
"The KTP not only provided the project management and skilled people....but the support of the University academic supervisors [made] it as current and evidence based as possible. A KTP was one of the only ways to achieve this."
VP Clinical, Oviva UK
"My KTP was challenging but very rewarding at the same time. I have received an unique opportunity to work in the industry and academia at the same time, which is very advantageous. I became a better researcher and worked with different departments at the company, which gave me a great idea of how I want to shape my career path". Find out more about Agneiska's experience in this longer profile piece here.
arbnco / University of Strathclyde
"For me, the KTP role has really been a life changing opportunity.... I hadn’t heard of KTP until I applied for my role, however after the experience I have had I recommend it to anyone - especially graduates as it’s a great bridge between university and ‘real life’. It is certainly a decision I will never regret". Emily Mason, KTP Associate
Northumbria Pharma / University of Sunderland
"I am privileged to work both with gifted academics at the University of Cambridge, and bright minds at Vizzuality, a change agency for a sustainable and fair future. I am grateful for this unique opportunity to work in a job that I love and believe in." Melanie Herrmann, KTP Associate
Vizzuality/University of Cambridge
The Management KTP initiative is fantastic for any growth-oriented SME, such as RBP, and we cannot recommend this programme highly enough”.
“Through KTP, I’ve found a graduate role which offers both academic and industry experience in equal measure. My role is intensely immersive, which I put down to the considerable degree of autonomy the KTP framework affords. Our project is a win-win for its stakeholders, may lead to job creation and will reduce our Carbon footprint. That’s satisfying.” See a longer profile piece about David Beattie's KTP here. David Beattie, KTP Associate
Davidsons Feeds/James Hutton Institute
"KTP is like a beautiful interwoven fabric of academia and industry"
KTP Associate, Cosmotec Ltd and University of Salford
"KTP provides a superb pathway for knowledge transfer, enabling academic research to be applied to deliver impact to real world solutions".
Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
Working with OLIO and the University of Nottingham has helped me develop personally and professionally. It has helped me contribute the skills and knowledge I have gained so far, as well as develop new skills in the fast-paced domain of data science. OLIO is dedicated to addressing one of today’s greatest challenges- food waste, and I am grateful to be part of this solution. Georgian Nica-Avram, KTP Associate
University of Nottingham / OLIO
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