University of Leicester announces two new industry partnerships

The University of Leicester has announced two major Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), strengthening its role as a catalyst for innovation, business growth and sector-leading practice.

These new collaborations, with AG Barr plc and Barker Langham, will bring together academic expertise and industry insight to tackle real-world challenges in the beverages and cultural sectors, supported by graduates working at the cutting edge of research application.

A KTP is a three-way partnership between a university, a business and a qualified graduate, designed to help organisations innovate and grow. Each project is overseen by a Knowledge Transfer Adviser from Innovate UK and delivered by a dedicated KTP Associate.

The University has partnered with leading UK beverage manufacturer AG Barr plc on a £325,000, three-year KTP focused on accelerating innovation in the performance drinks market.

Centred on AG Barr’s Boost Sports and Performance range, the project will develop advanced materials and more agile production processes to support the creation of next-generation powdered drink products.

AG Barr, which has been producing iconic brands such as IRN-BRU and Rubicon for over 150 years, will benefit from the University’s strong track record in collaborating with major drinks manufacturers. The partnership aims to translate cutting-edge nutrition science into products that meet evolving consumer expectations for performance and health.

Dr David Clayton from the University of Leicester said: "We are excited to be partnering with AG Barr on this Knowledge Transfer Partnership. By translating world-leading nutrition science into practical product innovation, the project will support the development of more evidence-led formulations that deliver meaningful health benefits for consumers.

Julie Barr, Chief Legal and Sustainability Officer at AG Barr, added: "We are delighted to partner with the University of Leicester on this exciting KTP. Access to the University’s world-class research and expertise, alongside Innovate UK support, will provide valuable insights to accelerate our innovation. This collaboration strengthens our technical capability and ensures brands like Boost continue to evolve to meet the needs of tomorrow’s consumers."

In a second partnership, the University is working with global cultural practice Barker Langham on a £230,000, two-year Management KTP - the first of its kind delivered by the University of Leicester.

Led by the Institute for Digital Culture, in collaboration with the School of Heritage and Culture and the School of Marketing and Strategy, the project will embed new ways of working across Barker Langham. It will develop innovative frameworks for exhibition design that integrate creativity, sustainability, inclusivity and interdisciplinary thinking.

The work has the potential to shape practice across the cultural sector by redefining how exhibitions are conceived, designed and delivered.

The academic team is led by Professor Ross Parry and Dr Georgiana Grigore.

Professor Ross Parry said: "Barker Langham and the School of Heritage and Culture have worked together for many years, so this KTP represents a natural next step in our partnership. As the University’s first management KTP, it will embed our expertise in exhibition curation while driving a step-change in how the business designs and delivers exhibitions for its clients."

Dr Georgiana Grigore added: "This Management KTP closely aligns with the University of Leicester School of Business research strategy, which focuses on responsibility, sustainable growth and enabling organisational transformation."

Eric Langham, Founder of Barker Langham, said: "Our relationship with the University of Leicester spans many years, including a major collaboration focused on designing accessible, multisensory exhibitions. That work built a strong foundation of trust and demonstrated the value of combining academic insight with our professional practice.

"This KTP represents an important next step. By bringing together the University’s expertise and Barker Langham’s international experience in cultural strategy and exhibition-making, we have an opportunity to rethink how exhibitions are conceived, procured and delivered. We are pleased to be working together on a project that places regenerative and equitable practices at its core, with the potential to shape the market and influence the future of exhibition curation and design."

Around 800 businesses, 100 knowledge institutions and more than 800 graduates are currently involved in KTPs across the UK, highlighting the programme’s national impact in driving innovation and productivity.

For more information about Knowledge Transfer Partnerships at the University of Leicester, visit the KTP website or email ktp@leicester.ac.uk.