Finding the Business leaders of tomorrow

The University of Wolverhampton is ranked number one in the West Midlands for the number of KTPs it manages and is celebrating another success following a recent awards ceremony.

Clare Rowe scooped a prestigious Business Leader of Tomorrow award at the annual KTP awards. Clare was one of only five graduates chosen from more than 1,000 nationally to be recognised by the government-led KTP programme. The award acknowledges those graduates who have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills while working on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership.

A KTP lasts between one and three years and involves the employment of a recent high-calibre graduate to work on a project of strategic importance to the company. Clare’s two-year placement was with Wednesburybased Rozone and aimed to develop innovative products and aid the company’s move into new markets.

Rozone supply biodegradable cleaning solutions and had previously depended on a supplier based in the USA. Through the KTP with Clare and the assistance of the University’s School of Applied Sciences, the company was able to develop several new products, and acquired a complementary company based in Deeside which will enable the bulk of production to move to a more efficient, quality controlled site.

Clare finished her KTP in February and is now employed by the company as Technical Services and Quality Manager.

Clare says: “I am delighted to have won a Business Leader of Tomorrow Award. The Knowledge Transfer Partnership at Rozone has allowed me to develop skills and capabilities and has given me the opportunity to play a key role in the development of the Deeside site.” Clare’s positive comments about the benefits of KTPs are echoed by Paul Owen, joint Managing Director of Rozone. He says: “The Knowledge Transfer Partnership between Rozone and the University of Wolverhampton has enabled the company to further develop its own product range and significantly increase business. The support of the School of Applied Sciences at the University has added to staff knowledge and expertise in microbiological and chemical products which has led to an increase in sales.”

The University’s reputation in the area of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships continues to grow, and the Competitiveness Centre has just celebrated receiving its 100th placement. Currently ranked top in the West Midlands for the number of KTPs it manages and third in the UK, the University is continuing to build on its success in this area.

The new KTP is with PS Office Supplies Ltd, based in Birmingham, and the company is looking to recruit a Web Development Manager. The graduate will develop a web portal interface which will help the company secure a greater market share in the ‘lifestyle’ sector. They also hope to increase their turnover and profitability as a result of the partnership.

Marc Fleetham, KTP Manager, says: “West Midlands companies are recognising the need to invest for the long term and that is where a local university can help. By putting a graduate at the heart of a company to drive innovation, organisations emerge leaner and stronger with the ability to capture a greater profitable market share.”

The benefits of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are wide ranging. The graduate gets to start a ‘real’ job related to their degree subject with the prospect of further professional qualifications while the companies have access to University expertise and qualified graduates to spearhead new projects. In addition, the academics that assist the KTP benefit from applying their expertise to business situations.

In a time of economic downturn, the partnerships are a beacon of good news for businesses and their future leaders.

To find out more about Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, please contact the Competitiveness Centre on tel: 0800 068 5023 email: competitiveness-centre@wlv.ac.uk or visit: www.competitiveness-centre.co.uk