KTP Mission Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is Europe’s leading programme helping businesses to improve their competitiveness, productivity and performance through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK knowledge base. Dr Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, presenting the Overall Winning Partnership Award to Cherry Pipes Limited at Innovate ‘11

What is KTP? Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime… Lao Tzu “ ”

KTP Funding Partners

Programme Size £30m Grants committed £80m Business contributions 900 Live partnerships (includes classic and shorter KTPs) 1,000 Live projects (includes 199 shorter KTPs) Data from 2010/11 Annual Report

Location of Business Partner Scotland10% Northern Ireland 5% Wales7% 11% South East London East East Midlands Yorkshire & The Humber North East North West West Midlands South West March 2010 Total % % 75 7% % Number of Partnerships England Northern Ireland Scotland Wales 9% 14% 5% 7% 5% 10% 9% 8% Data from 2010/11 Annual Report

Size of Enterprise <10 Employees (27%) Employees (35%) Employees (19%) >250 Employees (19%) Data from 2010/11 Annual Report

Company-based project Strategically important Vital knowledge missing Company-based project Strategically important Vital knowledge missing KTP Essential Features University/College Has it got missing knowledge? Can it benefit from project? University/College Has it got missing knowledge? Can it benefit from project? Associate What skills are needed? Will they be stretched? Associate What skills are needed? Will they be stretched? Company Can it afford it? Project supports business plan? Can it exploit project? Can it develop Associate? Company Can it afford it? Project supports business plan? Can it exploit project? Can it develop Associate? More competitive company Fully support Partnership Better Research, Teaching, Placements etc Transfer and “embedding” of knowledge Vital knowledge Well developed “Manager of the Future”

Business Benefits Benefits per Associate project Increase in annual profit before tax ~ £240,000 Investment in plant and machinery ~ £106,000 New jobs created 2 Business staff trained 15 New research projects initiated 3 Commercial benefits from application of IP ~ 27%

Recruitment of the ‘right’ people Long-term, strategic relationship with KB partner Transfer of knowledge/ expertise Embedding of innovation culture Business Benefits

Knowledge Base Benefits Knowledge Base Income (£125K per project) Published papers (2 per project) Teaching materials, case studies and projects (84%) New research themes – commercial relevance (75%) Staff development – commercial awareness (96%) Higher degree registrations Graduate career opportunities Exploitation of IP developed during project (27% expect commercial benefits) Strategic relationship with business (74%)

Associate Benefits Associate Competitive salary Part of one of the country’s largest graduate recruitment schemes Employment within the chosen academic discipline Fast-track career development Opportunity to register for higher degree during project 73% of Associates are offered employment by the host business Training and development to National Management Standards

The Features of KTP Project length of between 6 months and 3 years Associates jointly recruited by KB and Business partners The Associate is employed by the KB partner Project located at business premises with business supervisor KB Supervisor spends approx. half a day per week at the business premises

Innovative project of clear strategic relevance to the business Sound business case Stimulating and challenging for all three partners Demonstrating a step change in innovation Quantifiable impact for all three partners Project Criteria Clear knowledge transfer Clear additionality

Partnerships at QUB More than 300 Partnerships Mainly local companies >150 academics involved Various Schools and Departments –Engineering –Science – Food, Agriculture, Geography, Psychology –Pharmacy, Medicine –Management and Marketing –Commercial Centres of Excellence – Polymers, Environmental, Engineering etc

Industrial Sectors/ Clusters Polymer companies Textile companies Software companies Pharmacy companies Environmental management - Flagship Programmes Quality management - Supply chain Manufacturing – lean and quality, design Aerospace Industry – most recent

KTP Funding Available Following recent Review & Economic Appraisal: Announcement April 2012 Total budget for KTP in NI ~ £13M over 5 years ~ 60 rolling KTPs Current total in NI = 36 Current QUB Total = 24

Large Company Involvement  TSB - focus funding on supporting SMEs, particularly those which show high growth potential.  Participation by large companies is conditional upon them demonstrating they draw in and facilitate involvement of supply chain companies and SMEs.

The Process Contact the KTP & Business Networks Office – marriage broker Process Company visit – check eligibility Complete an outline form (2 pages and includes company accounts) Support to facilitate completion of the full proposal –liaises with the KTP Adviser and various sponsors –leads the recruitment process –sets up and attends all LMC meetings –ensures all reports are submitted and on time! –provides all financial management and reporting

Case Studies Seven Technologies Ltd & the Northern Ireland Technology Centre, QUB Aim: Embed an integrated, effective, cost efficient design and manufacture process for electronic systems and enclosures, develop in-house capability and provide faster and cheaper customer responses. NI Regional Winner 2012

Outcomes Expansion into new markets and collaboration with larger companies Increased skills and capabilities including a database of design features Increased levels of customer satisfaction and faster response times New staff recruited and all employees trained in new systems, techniques and procedures. The Business Established a strong mechanical engineering department Developed a wide range of skills in project and people management Completed a number of training courses including an NVQ Level 5 Diploma in Management Accepted full time role in the company leading the mechanical engineering team The Associate Expertise gained in new materials, fastening solutions and manufacturing techniques The company design manual is now used as an example of best practice in undergraduate teaching modules 2 student placements completed, one of whom is now a full time employee Follow on KTP approved with ECIT The Academic Partner

Seven Technologies Ltd & QUB Winner of the Northern Ireland Regional KTP Award 2012 “Winning the Northern Ireland Regional Award for our KTP is the icing on what has been a very successful time for us. The KTP has exceeded our expectations as it has enabled us to acquire new knowledge at a cost effective rate, and embed it in our staff and day to day operations.” Gavin Williamson, Chief Executive of Seven Technologies Ltd

Case Studies Cherry Pipes Ltd & the Polymer Processing Research Centre, QUB Aim: To develop a more scientific approach to pipe extrusion, implementing quality improvements, rapid factory expansion and an in-house design capability Best UK Partnership 2011

Cherry Pipes Ltd & QUB “The Scheme is excellent value for money and is a great way to boost your ability to innovate” Stefan Cherry, Business Development Director “The KTP programme gave me the knowledge and expertise that I required to move from being a technically competent graduate to a member of the senior management team in an exciting, technically challenging company” Paul Beaney, Technical Manager and former KTP Associate

Outcomes £0 spend on Research in 2006; >£200k in 2010 Leader of a Framework 7 Partnership. New waste initiatives increased turnover by £125k. New testing and analysis laboratory set up. Acquired new plastics recycling facility. Staff numbers increased from 20 to 60. The Business Both Associates appointed to senior managerial positions within the company. Instrumental in providing advice and technical knowledge to the company. Delivered workshops, masterclasses, seminars and technical conference presentations. The Associates Awarded £250k through HEIF to expand collaborative activities with the local polymer processing industry. 4 joint papers published 2-3 undergraduate and postgraduate research projects carried out each year. The Academic Partner

Contact us Tel.: Web: Dr Mary Flynn KTP & Business Networks Research & Enterprise Directorate All KTP enquiries