Celebrating 50 years of knowledge transfer partnerships

The University of Leicester hosted a KTP@50 event to mark five decades of transformative collaboration between academia and industry through the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme.

KTPs are UK-wide programmes that connect businesses (or non-profits) with academic institutions to drive innovation and growth. 

Held on campus on Monday 8 September, the event welcomed a diverse audience of academics, industry leaders, and KTP Associates, including representatives from PJ Care Fishbone Solutions, and Synoptix, all of whom have successfully completed KTPs with the University.

The afternoon began with welcome remarks from Prof Richard Thomas, Pro Vice Chancellor of Research and Enterprise at Leicester, and Professor Ross Parry, Director of the Institute for Digital Culture. This was followed by a presentation on the University’s collaboration strategy and the role of KTP as a strategic route for innovation, delivered by Will Wells, CEO of Space Park Leicester.

Facilitated by Professor Ross Parry, a panel discussion explored the evolving landscape of university-industry partnerships, KTP priorities, institutional alignment, and future directions.  

The panel included:

• Richard Lamb, Head of KTP Programme, Innovate UK
• Will Wells, CEO, Space Park Leicester
• Clare Edwards, Head of Partnership Development, Leicester
• Angela Orton, Managing Director of Structural Adhesives Ltd (A live KTP project)
• Morgan Bates, KTP Associate for Structural Adhesives Ltd
• Professor Mathew Hughes, Dean of Research and Enterprise, School of Business
• George Leete, former KTP Associate at Synoptix.

The event offered the opportunity to engage directly with KTP Associates, academic leads, and industry partners , highlighting the breadth and depth of innovation across sectors. The event also included poster displays from current live KTP projects for guests to explore.

Richard Lamb, Head of KTP Programme, Innovate UK, said: “The University of Leicester continues to demonstrate the transformative power of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. Their commitment to innovation, collaboration, and impact is evident in the success of their projects, which not only drive business growth but also enrich academic research and career development. Leicester’s KTPs are a shining example of how universities can lead the way in delivering real-world change through strategic partnerships.”

The University’s current portfolio of KTPs include: 

• Flexeserve – collaborating with the School of Engineering to create simulation-based design tools that cut prototyping costs and boost energy efficiency.
• Bluesky International – working with the School of Geography and the School of Mathematical and Computing Science to transform UK tree canopy mapping using AI and LiDAR.
• The Audience Agency – partnering with Leicester’s School of Business and Institute for Digital Culture to embed AI in cultural analytics, improving audience insights and expanding global reach.
  Structural Adhesives – teaming up with the School of Chemistry to develop reversible adhesives for sustainable electronics.
• rradar – in a double KTP with the School of Mathematical & Computing Science to build AI systems that identify and quantify business risk.
• Isogenica – working with the Department of Genetics and Genome Biology,  developing a ‘virtual cancer patient’ tool for immunotherapy drug discovery.
• I-Holland – partnering with the School of Engineering to use predictive modelling to prevent sticking in pharmaceutical powders.
• The Turmeric Co. - working with the Diabetes Research Centre to explore turmeric-based health drinks for tackling inflammation.

With our two latest projects involving:

• SF-Xray + School of Chemistry – creating a process to recover and recycle lead and antimony from discarded garments.

• Desitin Pharma + School of Healthcare – developing a behaviour change toolkit to help healthcare professionals better support epilepsy patients

The event concluded with closing remarks from Professor Ross Parry, who reflected on the University’s enduring commitment to innovation, partnership, and the transformative power of the KTP.

If you're inspired by these projects and want to learn more about Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, please contact Paul Corazzo at ktp@leicester.ac.uk