Nearly 300 Avatars amassed in Laval‘s Virtual Auditorium last night, joining approx 200 guests on YouTube for a special online version of the prestigious KTP Best of the Best Awards 2020.

The Ceremony, presented by KTN in partnership with Immerse UK (led by KTN’s Asha Easton) and Laval Virtual, saw winners of six categories revealed for outstanding impact from Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. 

Watch the recording of the event on YouTube here.

Warmly hosted by Senior KTA, Fiona Nightingale and with presentations from KTN’s CEO, Dr Alicia Greated, and Innovate UK’s Interim Executive Chair, Dr Ian Campbell – all appearing as Avatars – attendees enthusiastically embraced the new iteration of the event which was reimagined as a result of Covid 19.

“At KTN we are committed to shaping innovation communities of the future which is exactly what made these awards so inspiring. Not only are our KTP winners actively bringing research into commercial business environments, but they are also bringing new ways of thinking, diverse experience and varied skill sets together to make a manful difference in building a sustainable economy and society” said Alicia Greated.

Winners of six, hotly contested, categories were announced as follows:

Best KTP

WINNER: Aquacheck Engineering/  Manchester Metropolitan University/ Dario Chiantello.

This KTP has revolutionised the traditional standpipe – something we all rely on for our water supply – by using IoT to turn it into a smart, connected device, which delivers invaluable insight into water usage.

Future Innovator Winners:

Leona McGirr: Creating an Antibody Library for fully human antibodies.

Muddasar Anwar  Delivering innovation for Sustainable Drainage System to prevent flooding.

Declan Bryans: Creating greener energy with innovations in flow batteries.

Mark Gilmore: Developing new class of greener ionic liquid\

Khai Nguyen: Inventing a new silicone composite for consumer fixing brand, Sugru.

Dmitry Bogachov: Advancing Materials Science for Anilox technology.

Harvey Kangley: Delivering exceptional NPD in rail electrification.

Elle Perschke: Applying B2C methodologies in a B2B company.

Business Impact Award: 

WINNER SBS Insurance / Birmingham City University/ KTP Associate Jade Watts 

Creating positive digital disruption in the insurance claims sector.

Societal Impact Award, supported by UKRI

WINNER: Inspire Workplaces / Ulster University / Gillian Cameron

Innovative, web-based platform offering access to mental health screening and support

Most Effective KTP initiative from a KTP team, supported by Praxis Auril

WINNER: Aston University for their work in developing a Computer Science Industry Club 

Engineering Excellence:

WINNER: Masonry Support Systems / Queen’s University Belfast / Emanuale Scarabino 

Design of a calculation suite model for masonry support system which eliminates human error and delivers the output of 9000 man hours in just 60 seconds

Congratulations to all of our winners and Finalists, a huge thank you to all of our Award Presenters:

Terry  Gordon Ashorne Hill,

Richard Lamb Innovate UK,

Tao Tao Chang AHRC,

Sean Fielding Praxis Auril,

Gerry Black KTN.

Want to find out more about participating in KTP? 

As a business

As a university or research organisation

As a KTP Associate – about the role and current vacancies.

KTN is a key delivery partner of the KTP programme which is funded through Innovate UK.