Best of the Best KTP Awards 2011
Technology Strategy Board Driving Innovation How we chose the ‘Best of the Best’
This publication showcases the best Our Business Leader of Tomorrow awards Knowledge Transfer Partnerships recognise outstanding contributions from completed between 1 April 2009 and 31 KTP Associates. Business and knowledge March 2010. The overall winner receives a base partners nominated individuals trophy and members of the partnership who had identified and championed share a £10k cash prize. commercial opportunities, had managed successful delivery and had also To be eligible for an award, a partnership inspired and supported others to work to needed to have achieved an ‘outstanding’ a common objective. or ‘very good’ grade in the final report from the panel of external assessors. The judges also took into account personal attributes – including judgement, goal Nominations were submitted jointly by the orientation, integrity, ability to motivate, knowledge base, business partners and drive and initiative, objectivity, astuteness, by Associates, describing the work persuasive ability and resource management. undertaken, how issues were overcome and the benefits to each of the participants.
A commentary by the KTP Adviser originally assigned to the nominated partnership provided the awards selection panel with objective feedback.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is a Each partnership employs one or more UK-wide programme, funded by the Associates, high-calibre graduates who Technology Strategy Board along with gain invaluable experience from working 12 other public sector partners. in a commercial environment on a project lasting from six months to three years. It helps businesses to improve innovation, Business partners contribute the balance competitiveness and productivity through of costs while reaping the benefits from better use of the knowledge, technology the transfer of skills and expertise from and skills available within universities and academia and the research community. other parts of the UK knowledge base. Universities gain improved understanding Social enterprises and some public sector of the challenges facing business and wider organisations also have the opportunity to recognition for the quality of their research. innovate and improve their performance through KTPs. Introduction
Innovation points the way forward
The Knowledge Transfer Partnerships For the universities it fosters and programme is as relevant now as at reinforces relationships with business, any point in the last 35 years – opening up other collaborative perhaps even more so. ventures as well as informing their future research and teaching. It is ideas and innovation that will provide the inspiration and energy Our Business Leader of Tomorrow for UK businesses to emerge from awards show how KTP also performs these uncertain economic times the essential requirement of fast- Iain Gray speaking at the KTP and to thrive in increasingly tracking the best graduate talent, awards ceremony during the Technology Strategy Board’s competitive global markets. giving them the opportunity to be Innovate ‘11 event. the next generation of entrepreneurs KTP represents British talent and and industrialists. ingenuity working at its best – the commercial world in partnership Immediately, it generates expansion with leading academics and drawing and profits from innovative ideas on exceptionally gifted Associates. and in the longer term provides UK business with leadership and Our award winners come from the energy to match or even outperform public and private sector and are its competitors. engaged in fields ranging from bio-sciences and public health care That is why the Knowledge Transfer to high-value manufacturing and Partnerships are now an integral environmental technologies. part of the Technology Strategy Board’s work. Those featured in this publication represent just a handful of the many outstanding projects undertaken and completed every year in a diverse Iain Gray range of sectors and industries. Chief Executive, KTP matches business leaders to Technology Strategy Board their academic counterparts to deliver collaborative projects that achieve tangible outcomes, often beyond all expectation and with a consequent impact on productivity and profitability.
Knowledge Transfer Partnership • Best of the Best 2011 | 3 Best Knowledge Transfer Partnership
Cherry Pipes Ltd
Queen’s University Belfast and Associates Paul Beaney and Justyna Grabowska
Funded by the Technology Strategy Board and Invest Northern Ireland
Partnership aim: to develop and embed a more scientific and systematic approach to the company’s pipe extrusion facilities, implementing quality improvements, rapid factory expansion and an in-house design function.
The KTP ‘‘programme gave me the knowledge
and expertise The story of Cherry Pipes is a remarkable This also created the confidence for that I required one – how a small firm in Dungannon strategic investment and expansion, with producing pre-cast concrete drainage some £10m being spent on new plant, to move from pipes was transformed through KTP into machinery and buildings. This led to an being a technically one of the top plastics recycling companies increase in turnover from £2.5m before the in the UK. KTP to £5.7m by its completion, due mainly to a reduction in production costs, an competent When Cherry Pipes embarked on production increase in the client base and the formation of plastic pipes back in 2004 they had to graduate to a of a recycling division called Cherry Polymers. look only 40 miles east for advice and Staff numbers grew from 20 to 60. member of the expertise, to the internationally renowned senior management Polymer Processing Research Centre The company also set up its first polymer (PPRC) at Queen’s University Belfast. testing and analysis laboratory, which team in an drove improvements in raw material and As leaders in the field of polymer materials product quality and saw the PPRC and extrusion processing, they were natural exciting, technically academics playing a vital role in interpreting partners for a KTP, which was launched in data and advising on purchase of analysis challenging October 2006 with the appointment of a equipment. A new quality system young graduate, Paul Beaney. He was company. opened the way to a large increase in joined 15 months later by a second sales and led to the appointment of the first Dr Paul Beaney, Technical’ Manager’ Associate, Justyna Grabowska, as the and former Associate, Cherry Plastics Group quality manager. partnership set about embedding a more scientific and systematic approach to the But it was in establishing an accredited company’s pipe extrusion facilities. environmental management system that the
4 | Knowledge Transfer Partnership • Best of the Best 2011 Gerry McNally, director, Polymer Processing Research Centre (PPRC) at Queen’s University Belfast (left), Paul Beaney, formerly KTP Associate and now technical manager of Cherry Plastics Group, Alan Clarke, extrusion manager PPRC, and Stefan Cherry, development director Cherry Plastics Group.
company began to re-invent itself, K From zero spend on research in 2006 at K Queen’s University Belfast was awarded even beyond the original partnership aims. the start of this KTP, Cherry Pipes Higher Education Innovation Funding of This led to the formation of Cherry invested more than £200k in R&D during £250k to expand its collaborative Polymers Ltd and the acquisition of a 2010 activities with the local polymer plastics sorting recycling facility in June processing industry. The partners K The company has recently led a published four joint papers on polymers, 2008. Both Associates and the PPRC were European Framework 7 partnership with presented at the international annual instrumental in providing advice and three universities and four smaller technical conference of The Society of technical knowledge as £6m was invested businesses to develop a more intelligent Plastics Engineers. Two to three applied in the plant over the next 18 months. method of manufacturing products with research projects were carried out each recycled materials. PPRC is the lead year by undergraduate and postgraduate By the end of the KTP, with a design research and technology developer students at the University engineer in post, Cherry Plastics Group was recognised as the most technically K The Associates delivered workshops, K Both Associates, Paul Beaney and proficient polymer recycler in Ireland. master classes, seminars and technical Justyna Grabowska, were appointed to conference presentations on a range of senior managerial positions within the subjects including R&D, environmental company. The scheme is management, innovation, workplace ‘‘ health and business strategy excellent value for K Implementing quality management practice immediately led to a halving of money and is a great waste to 5% and material waste way to boost your efficiencies of around 10%, representing an increase in turnover of around £125k. ability to innovate. Stefan Cherry, Business Development Director ’’
Knowledge Transfer Partnership • Best of the Best 2011 | 5 Finalist
Logical Glue
The University of Essex and Associate Faiyaz Doctor
Funded by the Technology Strategy Board and the Economic & Social Research Council
Partnership aim: to develop an artificial intelligence based system to create a virtual care home where technology will monitor and assist in the care of the inhabitants Back row (from left): Mark Glover, Director of Business Planning, Technology Strategy Board; Dr Debbie Buckley-Golder, Head of Knowledge Exchange; Clare Lindsay, KTP Programme Manager; Ian Shott, Governing Board member, Technology Strategy Board. Front row: Alex Strang, managing director, Logical Glue; Professor Hani Hadras, Essex Business School; Dr Faiyaz Doctor, KTP Associate.
The partners embarked on this KTP Current sales are in credit reference and K The company had begun to generate project with the aim of developing lending, where the system is able to detect revenues from the financial sector at the innovative rostering software through use a higher percentage of defaulting end of the KTP with net profits expected of artificial intelligence systems. customers. to reach £3m three years after project completion As work progressed on computational The Ipswich-based company is exploring intelligence techniques, it became obvious other sectors, such as recruitment, oil and K The product has been awarded a to the partners that this had a much wider gas, pharmaceutical and biomedical, and worldwide PCT patent and has been shown to outperform other commercial application. This led to the KTP project also sees potential in emerging global offerings by 20-40%. developing artificial and computational markets where artificial intelligence intelligence-based systems that enabled analysis can be more easily integrated into K The partners formed Logical Glue as a the creation of a novel intelligent data business infrastructure. joint spin-out company to market and analysis and decision support product. further develop the systems produced in As a result of the KTP, the University has the project Collaboration with the School of Computer established a new, multi-disciplinary Science & Electronic Engineering at the centre for research in applied K Two more KTPs have been awarded to University of Essex allowed access to computational intelligence which will the company and the University of Essex world-leading expertise in computational provide a forum for collaboration between to continue knowledge transfer projects intelligence and enabled the Company to several University departments. K The KTP has yielded top quality build an underpinning technology which is international research and three the first of its kind. publications at major conferences; Logical Glue’s user-led system reduces two journal papers were published large variables to more manageable post project, plus six conference papers and two book chapters transparent data, allowing both technical and non-technical staff to make use of the K The Associate has a role within the knowledge held within the data. company, leading the marketing and development of the systems produced in the KTP. This partnership is exceptional for ‘‘delivering clear and measurable outputs and outcomes for all partners, which go far beyond those anticipated KTP Adviser ’’
6 | Knowledge Transfer Partnership • Best of the Best 2011 Finalist
Joseph Rhodes Ltd
Sheffield Hallam University and Associate Karthik Ramakrishnan
Funded by the Technology Strategy Board
Partnership aim: to introduce and embed computer-aided engineering (CAE) techniques and innovative design methods to facilitate new product development with minimum lead time and cost The Joseph Rhodes KTP project team: Peter Anderton, Group Rhodes Technical Director (left), with Karthik Ramakrishnan, Associate and Design Engineer, and Graham Cockerham, Professor of Engineering Design, Sheffield Hallam University.
Joseph Rhodes is an original equipment cylinder configuration. This allowed K On completion, the KTP was judged to manufacturer (OEM), designing and modifications to improve reliability and be responsible for a £105k increase in developing hydraulic presses and other reduce weight and earned Joseph Rhodes profits across the company machinery for customers in 30 countries an industry award. K 3D concept sketches and 3D animation across sectors such as metal forming and These same animation techniques were were fundamental in securing £13m composites. used not only to demonstrate operational worth of orders for two superplastic This partnership exceeded all expectations and maintenance procedures to forming machines from BAE Systems in a business that is already one of customers but also as sales tools by the K In 2010 Joseph Rhodes was awarded Europe’s leading companies in its field. In marketing team. the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the particular, it accelerated new opportunities Simulation/animation files have been innovation category, specifically for their in the fledgling Chinese aerospace market, range of aerospace machinery made available to support teaching of with the resulting increase in export sales metal forming at the University’s The Company has formed a day-to-day on course to exceed £8m. K Department of Engineering Design and working relationship with the University, The collaboration with Sheffield Hallam Technology, furthering understanding of drawing on advice and expertise in a University showed how the latest the benefits to be gained from the number of areas – from stress analysis technology could be embedded within a application of CAE technology. to use of consultancy facilities long-established industry as advanced The Associate, Karthik Ramakrishnan, K Three postgraduate projects have been CAE became an integral part of the design continues to be employed by Joseph established at the University; the function of the company. Rhodes as finite element design engineer programme has also seen extended One particular product, a 10,600 tonne and two more KTPs have been started at analysis of products using simulation rubber die press, benefited hugely from the company. tools, which will be very helpful to teaching; some simulations will be used 3D visualisation of the unique single- to explain manufacturing processes to students
K The Associate has achieved an MPhil in cost benefit analysis of computer-aided engineering (CAE) implementation. The technology developed has helped ‘‘the company open up world aerospace markets, offering us a secure future in the current difficult trading climate Peter Anderton, Technical Director, Joseph Rhodes Ltd ’’
Knowledge Transfer Partnership • Best of the Best 2011 | 7 Finalist
Risktec Solutions Ltd
Liverpool John Moores University and Associate Roisin Gray
Funded by the Technology Strategy Board
Partnership aim: to develop a new technical training business in the area of safety and business risk management, targeted at professional engineers operating Back row (from left): Mark Glover, Director of Business Planning, Technology Strategy in high risk industries Board; Dr Debbie Buckley-Golder, Head of Knowledge Exchange; Clare Lindsay, KTP Programme Manager; Ian Shott, Governing Board member, Technology Strategy Board. Front row: Steve Lewis, Director, Risktec; Sheryl Hurst, training technical lead, Risktec; Dr Alan Wall, Reader, School of Engineering, Technology and Maritime Operations, Liverpool John Moores University.
Risktec Solutions has seen its competitive The initial proposal was to develop five K Risktec has achieved complete business position dramatically enhanced by training courses for a single market sector, diversification, with training and partnering with Liverpool John Moores accredited by industry training bodies and education now running as a separate University to create a professional training endorsed by LJMU. It soon became clear business stream and education business in the specialist that there was an opportunity to go further K Training sales were £110k in 2007 area of risk and safety management. and to develop an educational programme (before KTP) and were on course to with recognised qualifications. The Warrington-based company already reach £800k at the end of 2011, with profitability in excess of 20% had an excellent reputation for risk and This was quickly expanded into a safety consulting services. The fruits of the structured, modular educational K The University gained a new MSc KTP with LJMU have further boosted programme to MSc level and Risktec programme serving new customers in credibility among clients in major hazard now offers formal postgraduate new technical and geographical areas, industries as well as those in commercial qualifications in risk and safety bringing in new income as well as raising and public sectors, in helping to manage management, validated by LJMU. the profile of LJMU worldwide health, safety, security, environmental and Students enrolled with the University K The MSc programme was selected by business risk. have a choice of up to 30 modules. the United Arab Emirates nuclear Risktec partnered with the University’s The Associate achieved an MPhil degree regulator to train their national personnel School of Engineering because of its in addition to acquiring knowledge of – a major achievement for the UK, LJMU knowledge and experience of business processes and management and Risktec delivering technical material in an systems, implementing change and K More than 60 of Risktec’s consultants industrial environment – a key component managing internal and external across the world have been trained to of the KTP. stakeholders. deliver modules, thereby extending their knowledge and skills beyond consulting
K Risktec and LJMU are pursuing further joint opportunities in the Middle East and USA and, through a five-year partnership starting November 2011, have a The KTP transformed Risktec from a validated distance learning version of the ‘‘ consulting firm to an integrated consulting, MSc programme. training and education provider – a step change in our competitive position Steve Lewis, Director, Risktec Solutions Ltd ’’
8 | Knowledge Transfer Partnership • Best of the Best 2011 Finalist
NHS Highland
The University of the Highlands and Islands Millennium Institute and Associate Amy Nimegeer
Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and the Scottish Funding Council
Partnership aim: to develop innovative public engagement for rural healthcare.
KTP Associate Amy Nimegeer conducting a workshop in the Highlands.
This partnership adopted a very novel Delivered in four stages, including design K The project was presented to approach to one of the biggest challenges plans for future healthcare services, it government delegates and senior facing healthcare services within rural looked to create stronger relationships academics from numerous countries areas: how to involve citizens in having a and an ‘informed’ public. This took the seeking information on how to reform say in their own future health care services. form of road shows, community health services in their countries workshops and the development of an In recent years, rapid shifts in demographics, K New research positions and projects innovative new budgetary planning game. as well as changing job descriptions for have been funded based on findings In addition, UHI staged a successful public from the KTP project, including a health health care providers, have been keenly lecture series and held a conference based economist position at UHI and a new felt in NHS Highland, particularly with on the project. funded PhD post fewer resources generally available to meet such growing and fast-changing Until the KTP, the University’s Centre for K Findings have been used to generate needs. It therefore recognised the need Rural Health had not included any numerous academic papers, nine for to develop more effective ways of serving teaching facility but the expertise gained submission to refereed journals and its communities, especially where a from the project led to the development of conferences and a further 33 for other local GP or other healthcare professional two online MSc modules. The Associate is conferences might be retiring. also now employed on joint working K Training events met with overwhelming projects between UHI and the NHS. Identifying innovative models for healthcare demand, not only from NHS Highland service design was an ideal project for a Apart from being an outstanding example employees, but also from the Scottish Ambulance Service, local authorities, Knowledge Transfer Partnership since it of communication and co-operation third sector and private organisations, as could draw on academic study of between partners at KTP level, this project well as from employees of other health demographics and remote communities has continued to have a significant impact boards through the university’s Centre for Rural on the way NHS Highland engages with Health in Inverness. remote communities. K Around 60 staff have been directly trained in community engagement techniques, The KTP began with a review of international others through UHI MA in Health and methods of rural public involvement, Wellbeing, a course for health care resulting in a tool-kit for public engagement. professionals in the Highlands
K The Associate completed a Diploma in Management and presented at several Everyone involved recognised the great high profile conferences both in the UK ‘‘ and abroad, being an invited speaker on importance of the programme and went several occasions. out of their way to ensure its success KTP Adviser ’’
Knowledge Transfer Partnership • Best of the Best 2011 | 9 Finalist
Pfizer UK
The University of Aberdeen and Associate Soumya Palliyil
Funded by the Technology Strategy Board and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Partnership aim: to generate a panel of novel, human anti-infective drugs, each with differing anti- bacterial efficacies and specialities. KTP Associate Soumya Palliyil with Professor Andy Porter, Chair in Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Aberdeen (left), and Dr Keith Charlton, Director of Innovations, Haptogen Ltd.
This KTP focused on one of the biggest existing drugs developed by the company K The University of Aberdeen developed challenges facing the global to similar targets. A 10-fold improvement a 60-strong protein therapeutics facility in pharmaceutical industry – development would have been impressive in itself! a new building on its hospital site, funded of a new class of antibiotic drugs capable in part by Scottish Enterprise. This was achieved in part because the of treating bacteria that are already Associate realised that the chances of a K Academic publications were delivered resistant to other antibiotics. successful outcome would be greatly from the project and presentations made Bacterial drug resistance poses a problem increased if tests to screen the library at international meetings all over the world. in 80% of all infections requiring antibiotic could be improved. treatment; work undertaken through the It represents the early steps of a 10 year K The Associate was awarded her PhD KTP was a key contributor to one of the journey to take new drugs to the clinic and and has a number of publications to her most advanced drug discovery name. She is now employed within the into revenues – drug discovery success in programmes in anti-infectives. Scottish Biologics Facility, preparing a this area would guarantee annual sales of Royal Society of Edinburgh The highlight of the project was the more than US$1bn. Commercialisation Fellowship application remarkable performance of the young KTP The KTP programme was a valuable asset with regard to new drug candidates Associate who mastered the latest genetic which helped drive the acquisition of a small engineering techniques to build a drug K The Associate attended and presented but successful biotech company, Haptogen library of around a billion compounds. her work at conferences all over the Ltd, by Wyeth and in turn by Pfizer. world, including the biggest anti- She went on to select hundreds of infectives meetings both in Europe and possible ‘first in class’ drug candidates the US from this library and to show that their potency was at least 100 times better than K The presence of Pfizer in Aberdeen was a huge catalyst to encourage the establishment of new University spin-out companies in protein therapeutics and the relocation of foreign companies to the city Soumya gained commercial and business K Aberdeen University has become a ‘‘insights…that many people never leading academic light in the training of new staff for the biotech industry, experience in a career in the industry including the establishment of new KTP Adviser ’’ courses in bio-business.
10 | Knowledge Transfer Partnership • Best of the Best 2011 Award for Business Impact
Bombardier Transportation UK Ltd
The University of Plymouth and Associate Dr Jing Cai
Funded by the Technology Strategy Board
The Business Impact Award is presented to the business that has benefited most from its KTP project in the 12 months after completion. Bombardier Transportation designs, manufactures and delivers rail control and signalling solutions at its Plymouth site.
Bombardier Senior Scientist John Woodcroft with Dr Jing Cai, KTP Associate.
This KTP project has made a substantial achieving savings for train operators while K The development work led to increased impact on Bombardier Transporation’s Rail improving the travelling experience. worldwide sales of the systems in Control Solutions’ business in Plymouth international markets: including European Bombardier is also the only UK company and contributed to Bombardier’s global rail and Asian markets, Australia and the to be involved with trials with Network Rail control product range, by helping to USA. for this technology. develop a new world-leading and patented K Live trials have been completed in Spain coded train detection system, EBI Track 400. Strong links have been developed and are under way in India, and the between Bombardier and the University, technology is also being introduced into The partnership has ensured, after a to the benefit of both partners. The Russia, where approval is anticipated by steady sales volume for the last 25 years, knowledge acquired and embedded the end of 2012 that the company now anticipates an through this Partnership has also been increase in its order book for this product K Development of EBI Track 400 has led vital to the Plymouth site’s strategic by the end of 2013. This has already led Bombardier to invest further in its Devon direction, with Bombardier investing to an increase in the size of the Plymouth- site and its 100 employees, from where further in its Plymouth site and based Product Design Team. the product is exported globally strengthening its global product portfolio. Through innovative coding algorithms K This KTP project has been instrumental and enhanced system performance, in establishing firm links between the Bombardier’s technology significantly University of Plymouth and Bombardier improves railway reliability, eliminating Transportation in Plymouth for specialist research assistance ‘false positive’ danger alerts and so K As a direct result of the collaboration with the University, the latest generation technology was patented The KTP project developed innovative ‘‘ K Following the KTP project, Dr Cai was coding algorithms and increased system employed by Bombardier Plymouth for performance that has enabled Bombardier her specialist knowledge of mathematics and coding techniques, adding value to become the world leader in track and improving techniques and systems circuit and coded train detection systems. in areas beyond the KTP. This level of success would have been impossible without KTP Andy Millar, Engineering Design Manager, Bombardier Transportation’’ UK Ltd
Knowledge Transfer Partnership • Best of the Best 2011 | 11 Award For Engineering Excellence and Finalist
Aurora Medical
University of Southampton and Associate Alex Dickinson
Funded by the Technology Strategy Board.
Partnership aim: to develop a new hip implant system with improved bio-compatibility and longevity
Without KTP, I don’t A revolutionary hip replacement product Dr Taylor explains: ‘Taking advantage of ‘‘ inspired by space technology is transforming recent improvements in material structural think I could have life for young patients with osteoarthritis performance, we were able to develop and other degenerative joint conditions. low-profile, large bearing ceramic implants. had a greater range These are more dislocation resistant, The new ceramic implant system was without over-engineering, and permit more of experience and developed by Finsbury development ltd. of the patient’s bone to be conserved.’ level of responsibility and driven by a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the School of Engineering The first ceramic product, DeltaMotion, so soon after Sciences at the University of Southampton was designed and developed with graduating. It was and Associate Alex Dickinson. It represented considerable input from the KTP and a step change in implant design. played a major role in Finsbury’s buoyant survival of the economic downturn and a very exciting It was while company director Dr Andrew eventual sale to DePuy. and rewarding Taylor was working on a European Space Agency initiative that he was first introduced It was approved during the KTP project three years to orthopaedics as one of the new ways of and before its completion had benefited Alex Dickinson, ’’ employing space technologies. Andrew is more than 3,500 patients world-wide. formerly Associate at Aurora Medical now Managing Director and owner of It is particularly effective in restoring natural Aurora Medical, a new company spun out movement in younger, especially female, of the Research Group at Finsbury to patients with degenerative joint conditions continue the research of the innovation. such as osteoarthritis.
12 | Knowledge Transfer Partnership • Best of the Best 2011 KTP Associate Alex Dickinson (left) examines a hip implant product with Martin Browne, Reader in Biomaterials Science at Southampton University.
K Parallel products developed with input from the KTP team contributed to a £5.2m increase in sales over 18 months
K Aurora Medical was launched as a prosthesis design and development company after Finsbury Orthopaedics was acquired by DePuy Orthopaedics in December 2009
K The University’ produced five journal papers and five conference The all-ceramic resurfacing bearing, Among the benefits to the University was presentations, including an invited lecture DeltaSurf, led on from the DeltaMotion that the KTP expanded their pre-clinical at the European Orthopaedic Research product, extending the main goal of the analysis knowledge base, including Society congress 2010
KTP in developing two novel hip computational modelling and mechanical K The knowledge base has won support for replacement implants to treat a problem testing techniques. three more PhD studentships and has patient group. been integral to a UKIERI programme The commercial performance of the between Southampton and the Indian Input and expertise from the academics DeltaMotion product, boosted by the work Insitute of Technology, Kharagpur, India, at Southampton focused on understanding of the Associate indicated the potential researching a low-cost knee replacement loads exerted upon the implant by both of the company’s newer implant. everyday activities and traumatic events DeltaSurf prototypes are being developed K The Associate, Alex Dickinson, was and predicting how the body might perform into an industrial product on the basis of awarded a PhD and completed more in response to implantation. The collaboration the KTP’s commercialisation plan. scientific publications while working as also developed dedicated tests to verify lead researcher on a new European Community Framework 7 project; he was the new designs, setting the standards that the group’s youngest post-doctoral other companies will need to follow. research fellow
K The KTP’s academic credentials strengthened the company’s pitch to a major stakeholder, a panel of nine internationally renowned orthopaedic surgeons who described it as the ‘most exciting implant development project that (they) have been involved in’.
Knowledge Transfer Partnership • Best of the Best 2011 | 13 Outstanding Academic Achievement
Professor Graham Cockerham
Sheffield Hallam University
The Academic Excellence Award recognises the outstanding contribution made to KTP by a member of academic staff and the role that they have had in influencing the uptake of KTP throughout their institution. Dr Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, presents the award for Outstanding Academic Achievement to Professor Graham Cockerham, of Sheffield Hallam University.
Graham Cockerham’s involvement with computing and design programmes as ‘In practice, it means that there must be a Knowledge Transfer Partnerships dates well as engineering. In all he developed proper vision for innovation by the back more than three decades. and delivered more than 100 company,’ he says. ‘Then you must have programmes, of which over 90% were in a committed and enthusiastic academic He attributes his recognition as a his own specialism of engineering. partner; and the Associate must have university professor some 15 years ago technical competence but, above all, predominantly to his work on KTP He says: ‘While I look back at my first show commitment, enthusiasm and an activities and their impact on the project as being the one that gave me a independent work ethic.’ University and its School of Engineering. significant boost of confidence, I take a lot of pride in two recent ones, which have It helps, he says, that KTP is more refined His first project was in 1979 at Davy gained recognition for their achievements and focused these days. McKee and was aimed at enhancing the – the Associate at Penny Hydraulics being quality of their steel mills, at one point ‘One of our great successes is that we named a Business Leader of Tomorrow involving six KTP Associates. He went on have had a lot of repeat KTPs. Although and Joseph Rhodes Ltd collecting a KTP to be appointed Deputy Director of the I have overseen 120 projects they have regional award.’ School of Engineering, becoming lead been with around 40 companies. For academic as KTP (then called the Professor Cockerham believes that the instance, Joseph Rhodes, have been Teaching Company Scheme) co-ordinator key to a successful Knowledge Transfer partners in four discrete projects.’ from 1980 to 2004. Partnership lies in all three parties being Professor Cockerham is now on a phased firmly committed to making it work, After this, Professor Cockerham retirement, which allows him to see through recognising the mutual benefits. broadened his role as KTP co-ordinator three remaining KTPs and also to arrange for the Faculty of ACES, involving a smooth handover with his successor.
Graham Cockerham has been an excellent ambassador ‘‘for KTP over the years, helping a large number of companies to deliver successful projects through his unwavering commitment to the programme Debbie Buckley-Golder, Head of Knowledge Exchange, Technology Strategy Board ’’
14 | Knowledge Transfer Partnership • Best of the Best 2011 Business Leader of Tomorrow
Matthew Druce
University of Southampton and Geotek Ltd
Funded by the National Environment Research Council and the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council
Matthew Druce at work ‘in the field’ with Geotek.
Whether testing equipment in the seas This achievement has encouraged further K Matthew developed a pressure core off Korea or negotiating with suppliers investment from other customers for the sub-sampling system to provide new at home, Matthew Druce has development of the second project opportunities for advanced testing of exceeded all expectations as a KTP deliverable, the Pressure Core Analysis natural gas hydrate bearing sediment Associate driving one of the most and Transfer System – Triaxial (PCATS-T) samples technically demanding KTP projects. apparatus. This equipment will perform K He designed equipment capable of advanced geomechanical tests on gas The aim of the partnership between transferring and performing advanced hydrate bearing samples, allowing clients geomechanical tests on pristine Geotek Ltd and the University of to assess the behaviour of the seabed hydrate bearing sediments under in situ Southampton was to design, build and samples across a broad range of stress/ conditions commission an advanced geotechnical strain conditions. testing system to analyse the mechanical K Matthew developed the product design properties of gas hydrate bearing The complete core analysis system has to facilitate small and large strain testing sediments under in situ conditions. been commissioned, together with the on single samples, optimizing the range company’s technical expertise, for two of data available to clients. Matthew was expected to deliver all design, offshore research expeditions in 2012. build and testing phases of this project, K He has sourced new suppliers and to a predetermined schedule and budget As a result of the project, Matthew has negotiated more competitive rates of and within an existing team of engineers. developed his technical and managerial business, helping to reduce production skills beyond the expectations of the costs for the company He led the successful commissioning of company and the University. the project’s first deliverable in Korea, K Matthew’s design-led and project achieving unprecedented steps in gas He also liaised with prospective customers management skills have led directly to hydrate research – the sub-sampling and and suppliers to guide the project towards more efficient use of company resources, improving organisation, productivity transfer of pristine hydrate-bearing a successful conclusion. In doing so and cost control within the business, sediment samples on site. he showed himself to be a personable helping new contracts to be won and talented presenter, communicator, Testing the new equipment for two self-starter and leader, in addition to K Matthew has been offered and has months offshore in Korea was a being extremely competent as a technical accepted the position of Production challenging role, demanding maturity and designer. Manager at end of the three-year leadership, first-class communications KTP period. skills and a willingness to take responsibility for health and safety in a potentially dangerous environment.
Knowledge Transfer Partnership • Best of the Best 2011 | 15 Business Leader of Tomorrow
Catia Guimaraes
Oxford Brookes University and InterContinental Hotels Group plc
Funded by the Technology Strategy Board and the Economic and Social Research Council
Catia Guimaraes … won the trust and confidence of the senior management team at InterContinental Hotels Group.
As KTP associate Catia Guimaraes was centres and business service centres K Given two years to complete her BC/DR tasked with developing business around the world. training, Catia completed the course in continuity and disaster recovery (BC/DR) the first three months of the project and This included their function, location in plans across the global operating system became a fully certified business relation to the earthquake epicentre, of InterContinental Hotels Group. continuity professional inside six months. critical processes carried out and back- When suddenly faced with a very real up systems. She also identified alternative K She developed a clear governance crisis – the Japanese earthquake and sites (Singapore and Shanghai) that structure involving more than 200 people around the world at all levels of the tsunami – she rose to the challenge with could take over their processes should company, from corporate executives to a mature performance that earned great these need to be evacuated, the number those in operational roles. credibility within the group’s risk of people working and the contact details management team. of the BC/DR plan owners. K Catia prepared a business impact analysis questionnaire for 103 personnel By providing timely and precise information, The KTP had required Catia to be trained around the world, achieving a 94% she facilitated accurate decision making as a business continuity professional and, completion rate within three months; regarding the safe and sustainable under academic and company supervision, the remainder were sites in Japan and operation of IHG’s corporate sites in to develop a methodology for annual Australia, still recovering from natural Japan. As a result of the team’s effective updating and testing of the plans. disasters. response to a very complex disaster, Catia proved herself a very talented She developed the principles of thankfully Japan reported no casualties. K manager with outstanding leadership skills. operation for the group’s Global Business Catia provided the team with all the Her enthusiasm and energy for the project Continuity Council, comprising vice- information she had acquired about gained the support and cooperation of a presidents and senior executives involved the group’s sites in Japan through her diverse group of colleagues around the with business continuity and global own mapping and business impact world, while her impressive communication corporate risk management, and also analysis of headquarters and divisional skills won the trust and confidence of the coordinated proceedings as chair. offices, central reservations offices, data senior management team. K Catia was able also to coordinate and run at least one major stress test per Being a KTP Associate gave me a jump start critical site. ‘‘ K Another deliverable beyond the planned I could only have dreamed of. As a result project is that she will set a foundation for of the KTP project, the company has now the business continuity management of hired me to be part of their Global Risk the Group’s 4,500 hotels. Management team. Catia Guimares ’’
16 | Knowledge Transfer Partnership • Best of the Best 2011 Business Leader of Tomorrow
Lisa Finney
Staffordshire University and GDM (Heat Transfer) Ltd
Funded by the Technology Strategy Board and the Economic and Social Research Council
Lisa Finney of GDM
Outstanding people skills and a huge She championed new initiatives and K Turnover and profit increased by 30% commitment to promoting new ways of developed excellent working relationships in the first year and a further 16% in working are among the qualities that with the team. 2010-11. distinguished Lisa Finney’s two years as In promoting the benefits of new ways of K Lisa designed and managed a new KTP Associate with cooling systems working, Lisa defined the risks involved in website, which propelled GDM to the top manufacturer GDM. not carrying forward the changes. She of search engine listings, generating £90k The partnership objectives required Lisa implemented a customer relations of orders and £500k of new business inquiries. to develop and implement a strategic management system and new website. marketing plan that would complement The outcomes have included an increase K Her awareness of the power of social and achieve overall business objectives in turnover and profitability, an effective media led to the creation of blogs, for growth and international expansion. customer database and the introduction forums, newsletters and she joined key of modern marketing tools such as digital industry social network groups The company had been through a period and direct marketing. of change as the Managing Director retired K Implementing a new CRM system on her and a new General Manager took over. Her development of sponsorship allowed own initiative, she introduced digital and for a day out for employees and their direct marketing technology, including Lisa supported him as he made the families at truck racing championships, direct mail and proactive selling, to target strategic decisions necessary to take the showing that she recognised the new enquiries and lapsed customers company forward and provided importance of motivation in a small reassurance through her knowledge and K Lisa oversaw creation of a new brand business. business awareness. identity and image, including all signage, Lisa’s greatest strengths are her people- literature and promotion Starting with a clear project plan, Lisa first to-people and management skills. She carried out an audit, ranging from basic K She managed GDM’s presence at demonstrates outstanding characteristics marketing and customer research to several exhibitions, generating significant in teamwork, presentation and creative rebranding and a new catalogue. This led new enquiries. problem solving. to a more strategic approach to marketing, with a stronger profile in international and future markets, such as the rail industry.
Knowledge Transfer Partnership • Best of the Best 2011 | 17 Business Leader of Tomorrow
Kenny Macfarlane
Staffordshire University and Clive Durose Woodturners Ltd
Funded by the Technology Strategy Board
Kenny Macfarlane … won the ‘rising star’ category in the 2011 Construction News Awards.
Kenny Macfarlane achieved the seemingly inquiries from the education, leisure, K Kenny implemented the latest measuring, impossible in setting up a business healthcare, retail and residential sectors. modelling and programming software unit addressing the high-quality, curved throughout the company to help the A purely technical job became a mini- stair-rail market. project stay at the forefront of the market. business, yielding a new revenue stream His technical background meant that he His brief as KTP Associate was as that will contribute 30% of overall company was able to set up in-house digital wide-ranging as it was demanding – sales in 2012. The project has already libraries, drawing templates, rendering to incorporate all business functions, been recognised with industry awards. services and manufacture simulation including sales, design, estimating, techniques In October 2010, Kenny won the Timber manufacture and installation. Trade Journal’s (TTJ) national award for K The project allowed the company to Kenny stepped up to the challenge, career development, a major accolade in diversify, not only with the product range, building a small, but highly skilled team the timber industry. He also won the but also into different target markets able to survey, design, manufacture and ‘rising star’ category in the 2011 K Kenny has been studying part-time install timber handrails for bespoke projects. Construction News Awards. towards an MSc in advanced technology, These one-off contracts required the very Kenny is a naturally confident individual, specialising in business management, latest software and CNC (computer with obvious leadership and managerial having already achieved the CMI numerically controlled) machinery. skills. What began as a predominantly Diploma in Management during his KTP programme As well as implementing new procedures technical role developed into a business and systems within the company, his management position. He made the K He created an effective survey/design/ contract management role saw him transition naturally and successfully, manufacturing organisation, helping to managing 10 to 15 contracts taking an active role in training his team in meet quality and efficiency performance simultaneously, each worth between technical areas and boosting morale by indicators while implementing a £1k and £350k, and lasting from two sharing project testimonials and nationwide installation and finishing weeks to six months. organising regular staff appraisals. service
The response from the market to such a Kenny encouraged strong communication K After creating a brand image for PTH, specialist service was overwhelming; through regular meetings and Kenny marketed the brand through its over the two years of the KTP, ‘Precision presentations to shop floor staff and own website www.pthandrails.co.uk, Timber Handrails’ (PTH) received senior management alike. promotional e-campaigns, presentations, consultations and direct sales Compared to most graduate positions, K PTH has projected a sales turnover rising to £1m by 2014. ‘‘I was given a lot of responsibility from day one. KTP has given me an exceptional platform to build my career on’ Kenny Macfarlane ’’
18 | Knowledge Transfer Partnership • Best of the Best 2011 Business Leader of Tomorrow
Simon Pykett
Sheffield Hallam University and Penny Hydraulics Ltd
Funded by the Technology Strategy Board
Simon Pykett ... his meticulous research paid dividends on the very first tender.
Simon Pykett was far from daunted Now a Sellafield quality assured supplier, K Simon established a presence in the when invited to help Penny Hydraulics Penny Hydraulics enjoys preferential nuclear community by being active in its diversify from a declining market in status when bidding for new tenders. ‘Young Generation Network’, attending mining equipment sales into the nuclear All this happened 12 months ahead of the UK Decommissioning Conference 2010, meeting an established tier 2 engineering supply chain. expectation, with Simon’s costs covered supplier and attending Sellafield supplier and profit generated. In addition to In fact, Simon’s achievements as events submitting further tenders, he found time Associate in the first year of his KTP to pursue a Level 5 diploma in leadership K After contacting organisations operating project were astonishing. He transformed in the nuclear supply chain, he registered and management and is also the business, winning a contract valued the company with the National Nuclear undertaking an MSc with Sheffield at £160k after six months. Institute, the Utility Vendor Database and Hallam University. the Nuclear Skills Passport Scheme and The objective was to develop and embed After completion of the Sellafield contract, successfully co-ordinated audit visits a capability for lifting, handling and Simon secured new business with other movement of spent nuclear fuels. K Simon assumed the role of project nuclear sites, including a contract with manager, dealing with a team of four Moving into the nuclear industry had Magnox Ltd totalling more than £240,000, designers, one quality control and three appeared too big a step for the company. with additional work in the pipeline. to five shop floor personnel while chairing Simon took total ownership of the project, Simon will be assuming the role of project all internal and external meetings opting to develop internal capability by manager for all of these activities. A new K He instilled a collaborative attitude first winning and delivering a contract company division, Penny Hydraulics between suppliers, craftsmen and design rather than seeking contracts once Nuclear, has been established in light of staff and also improved design, quality capability had been developed. this success. management, procurement and inventory control procedures His meticulous research paid dividends Simon combines technical expertise with K He undertook welding qualifications on the very first tender and the need to commercial understanding and is sensitive himself alongside shop floor employees overhaul the company’s production and to the impact his work has on people. business processes required tact, He has achieved a phenomenal amount K Simon has acted as the main point of diplomacy and determination. in a short time – and always with a smile. contact between the company and the customer, liaising with Sellafield personnel at various levels of authority. He chaired all meetings involving It provided a fantastic learning curve Sellafield staff for design audits, functionality testing and load testing. ‘‘from day one, with a wide range of experiences including finance, production and project management. Simon Pykett ’’
Knowledge Transfer Partnership • Best of the Best 2011 | 19 Arts & Humanities Research Council Winner
Historic Royal Palaces
Kingston University and Associate Suzannah Lipscomb
Funded by the Technology Strategy Board and the Arts & Humanities Research Council
The Arts & Humanities Research Council Award is presented to the project that demonstrates most effectively the contribution made by the humanities to KTP.
KTP Associate Suzannah Lipscombe (inset) and the West Front of Hampton Court Palace.
A Knowledge Transfer Partnership which The KTP with Kingston University had K The launch of ‘Henry VIII: Heads and vividly brought to life the reign of Henry twin aims: to inform an exciting new Hearts’ increased the number of VIII helped to attract more than 115,000 interpretation for visitors to the Tudor domestic family day visitors by 43% extra visitors to Hampton Court Palace in palace; and to strengthen links between year-on-year, an additional 115,287 just six months, eclipsing even the most ‘public history’ presented at the palace visitors optimistic predictions. and the academic community. K An academic conference on Henry VIII The anticipated outcome was a quality Academic perception of Historic Royal was attended by more than 150 people, with distinguished scholars among the 59 visitor experience that would appeal Palaces was transformed by a highly speakers particularly to domestic families and to successful conference on Henry VIII. drive a 10% increase in visitor numbers Suzannah Lipscomb’s contribution as K A well-attended public talks series throughout 2009. In fact, that target was featured leading specialists on Henry VIII, Associate was to introduce original exceeded within the first six months, with such as David Starkey, Hilary Mantel and academic research of the Tudor court, a year-on-year increase of 43%. Philippa Gregory social and religious life to real and virtual The KTP transformed the capability of visitors, as part of a strategic plan to K Kingston University has enhanced its HRP to understand their palaces as reduce reliance on overseas visitors and academic presence by forming networks products that needed to be to develop the home market, particularly in the UK and abroad, through sympathetically and commercially families. involvement in the Research Advisory presented and marketed in order to Panel and participation in conferences overseas and the Henry VIII conference engage a targeted audience.
It was part of a wider project by the K The Associate initiated and led a Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) to represent Research Advisory Panel of interdisciplinary academics and the Tudor Palace at Hampton Court, enhanced the public profile of HRP coinciding with the 500th anniversary of through appearances on radio and TV; Henry VIII’s accession. she also contributed to a new Henry VIII website, used by 42% of visitors
K The Associate, now a lecturer in early modern history at the University of East Anglia, remains an external consultant to One of the things I really liked HRP and a member of the HRP’s ‘‘about KTP is that it gave me a lot research strategy board. of autonomy and ownership Suzannah Lipscomb, formerly KTP Associate ’’
20 | Knowledge Transfer Partnership • Best of the Best 2011 Economic and Social Research Council Winner
Clydesdale Bank
University of Leeds and Associate Alena Audzeyeva
Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
The Economic and Social Research Council Award is presented to the project that demonstrates most effectively the application of economic and social research to KTP. Lucy Marshall, Insight & CRM Manager at Clydesdale Bank (left) with Dr Barbara Summers, Senior Lecturer in Decision Making, Leeds University Business School, and KTP Associate Alena Audzeyeva.
This KTP was a shining example of the Clydesdale bank anticipates a multi- K Clydesdale expects a £20m-plus way in which fundamental academic million pound increase in profits as a increase in profits in the three years after disciplines such as mathematics can result of applying knowledge gained in completion of the KTP, by applying the customer lifetime value model developed be applied to solve a complex business the project and there was an unexpected in the project problem. bonus in identifying retention and acquisition of over-50s as crucial to the K As a result of the Associate, Alena, The outstanding results recorded are all quality of the bank’s business. Other identifying a profitable sub-segment of the more praiseworthy for having been customers among the over-50s, the bank improvements delivered by the KTP delivered against a background of turmoil invested £40k in R&D, with the aim of centred on price tests, better customer in the UK and global financial system. improving their retention and acquisition insight and developing statistical Clydesdale Bank’s partnership with the knowledge and capability. K Three MSc dissertations have been University of Leeds Business School written in a partnership between arose from a desire to improve their Meanwhile the KTP also initiated Clydesdale Bank and Leeds University understanding of banking customers’ university research into CLV models as Business School (MSc financial mathematics), producing original current and future economic value. well as related issues regarding customer research for the benefit of the KTP and, acquisition and retention. Access to The project developed and implemented more generally, Clydesdale Bank confidential bank data supported this Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) measures research on CLV. K Access to confidential bank data has which could help the bank improve its supported research on CLV and led to relationship with customers by identifying The project is an excellent example of the production of original scientific which products were most appropriate to how knowledge exchange between research within the University their needs and ensuring that they were social scientists and business can be of K The project has fed into teaching of MSc aware of the product at the right time. mutual benefit. students on the financial mathematics course, linking their studies to issues in the banking world and opening up new research areas for the university in the area of banking
K Alena’s work has informed a ‘needs based’ rather than ‘sales target-based’ communications programme which saw We were impressed with the way that this KTP an uplift in sales of 170%. ‘‘helped to push academic thinking forward through tackling a complex business problem Eloise Stott, Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager, Economic and Social Research Council ’’
Knowledge Transfer Partnership • Best of the Best 2011 | 21 More information
For more information
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22 | Knowledge Transfer Partnership • Best of the Best 2011 Funders Funders
KTP – Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is funded by:
Technology Strategy Board Driving Innovation
Knowledge Transfer Partnership • Best of the Best 2011 | 23 Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are part of the Government’s Solutions for Business portfolio.
The Technology Strategy Board is a business-led executive non-departmental public body, established by the Government. Its role is to promote and support research into, and development and exploitation of, technology and innovation for the benefit of UK business, in order to increase economic growth and improve quality of life.
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