Programme

Session type: Seminar
Audience: All

We will be sharing our insights and tips, and the tools and techniques that work.

Direct from the front-line successfully delivering innovation in industry we will cover the need for cognitive diversity and psychological safety, how to help professionals have new and fresh ideas - how to get rid of mood hoovers and how to get past the many barriers to ensure that great ideas become applied innovations delivering critical benefits.  People have ideas - companies don’t.

Speaker: Dr Frank Allison, CEO, FIS360 Ltd; Tina Catling, Innovation Consultant, ThinkOTB

Dr Frank Allison is an expert in the commercialisation of technologies, from concept to commercial product.  He has developed and delivered several commercialisation initiatives, including Sellafield’s Game Changers open innovation programme.  He has over 20 years’ experience commercialising early-stage technologies, licensing and spin-out, into a wide range of sectors both nationally and internationally, including working in the Middle East to establish a technology transfer business unit and innovation investment fund for Dhahran Techno Valley Company, Saudi Arabia.

Frank has spent many years in the steel, space and aerospace industries in the UK and US.  He mentors early-stage companies, sits on several innovation committees, and has a real passion and enthusiasm to make a difference.

Tina Catling is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and a corporate psychologist who is passionate about unlocking the potential of people to have great ideas.  A successful entrepreneur with 30 years’ experience in marketing, communications and strategic innovation management.

Tina is passionate about understanding creative thinking and unlocking the potential in individuals to think in new and better ways.  As part of this work, she gained a Masters with Honors in Corporate Psychology and has written two best-selling business books published by Wiley.

Session type: Workshop
Audience: Practitioners and Academics

Join us for an engaging and informative session introducing the IUK BC Bootcamp - an ITOL accredited CPD opportunity developed by Innovate UK Business Connect and delivered by their experienced team of Knowledge Transfer Advisers. This immersive and interactive bootcamp has already been experienced by over 100 KTP Practitioners and is specifically designed for Knowledge Base KTP professionals who are business-facing and involved in shaping high-quality KTP proposals.

During our session, we’ll provide a detailed overview of the bootcamp and what participants can expect, as well as facilitate a discussion on the concept of the ‘golden thread’ - the essential elements that, when effectively woven together, create a proposal that is not only cohesive and innovative, but also deeply challenging and capable of embedding new capability within a business to drive real commercial impact. Whether you are new to KTP or looking to refine your approach, this session will offer practical insights and peer-led discussion to support your continued development.

Speakers: John Bound, Knowledge Transfer Manager – Innovation and Design; Bethany Procter, Temporary Innovation Academy Content Manager; Ian Heywood, Knowledge Transfer Adviser – North Scotland

Session type: Seminar
Audience: All

From grant proposals to commercial spinouts, every collaboration creates potential IP, but are you capturing it effectively?

This seminar will unpack what we really mean by IP (it’s not just patents), how to recognise it in your project, and how to capture and protect it before it slips away.

You’ll leave with practical tools and real-world examples on how invention records, good documentation and early IP reviews can unlock future funding, partnerships and impact.  No legal jargon - just useful, clear IP know-how for KTP Associates, practitioners and academics alike.

Speaker: Freddy Guemeni, Head of Intellectual Property, The University of Manchester Innovation Factory

Session type: Workshop
Audience: All (participants can only attend one session)

Join us for an engaging workshop utilising the innovative LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology to explore and reflect on best practices to collaborate across industry, academia and customers. This creative and hands-on building process helps you visualise your processes and strengths within your collaboration methods and processes, offering a unique and interactive way to help you map out next steps in your professional practice.

After this workshop, participants will be able to:

• reflect on the individual process of collaboration
• highlight personal strengths
• identify gaps in practice
• develop a next step plan for professional growth

Speaker: Dr Ciara Reidy, Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist

Dr Ciara Reidy is a chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist with over five years of experience supporting individuals and groups through a holistic approach, helping people unlock their potential and perform at their best while maintaining a positive mental health. Her work centres on the person behind the performer – fostering self-awareness and clarity so they can take confident steps toward their personal and professional goals.

Session type: Workshop
Audience: Practitioners and Academics

This session will help you to determine whether KTP is right for the third-sector organisation you are working with.  Our experts will share their top-tips in securing third-sector KTP funding, highlighting advantages, as well as potential pitfalls, in writing an application.  A scenario-based workshop will support you in developing that critical ‘commercial impact’ case. 

This workshop will arm you with the tools to feel confident in developing your own third sector KTP!

Speakers: Andrew Kinnear, West of Scotland KTP Centre; Claire Adams, Teesside University; Mick Card, Knowledge Transfer Adviser – North Wales, Merseyside and Cheshire

Andrew Kinnear has 6 years of experience in developing high quality KTP applications. He has secured funding for over 60 KTP projects, including projects in the third sector, as well as multiple management KTPs, and an African Agriculture KTP.  He works with 5 Universities, exposing him to a variety of different academic fields and institutional strategic drivers.  Andrew is passionate about KTP, passionate about projects that can make a real difference, and passionate about helping third sector organisations deliver impactful work. 

Mick Card is the lead KT Adviser for third and public sector KTPs.  A popular speaker, he is regularly invited to deliver workshops on third sector and SHAPE KTP best practice for knowledge base teams, academics, partners and KT Advisers.  Passionate about the sector and business development, he offers a constructive and highly supportive approach together with a breadth of experience.  Prior to being a KT Adviser, Mick held Business Development roles in three UK knowledge bases building strategic partnerships, commercial and research activities.

Claire Adams has over 17 years’ experience as a KTP Manager across three UK knowledge bases. In her current role she manages a diverse portfolio of KTPs spanning multiple disciplines, including projects within the charitable sector.  As one of three KTP Managers at Teesside, Claire has played a key role in growing the university’s KTPs from 8 to 20 in just three years.  The team are now driving efforts to reach an ambitious institutional target of 30 KTPs by 2026.  This growth requires strategic diversification – broadening engagement across academic departments, repositioning KTPs within non-traditional disciplines and sectors, and aligning with the expanding scope of opportunities from Innovate UK. Claire relishes the challenge – and is always on the lookout for the next unlikely collaboration that just might become the perfect KTP.

Audience: All

Have you ever wondered how some people effortlessly work a room, confidently build rapport, and always have something interesting to say?  In this session, you’ll learn how to develop the qualities of great networkers, overcome nerves, and make meaningful connections both in-person and online. Also, discover how to build an authentic personal brand and stay memorable. Join this session to master THE essential skill for future career success.

Speakers: Mark Lynch, Knowledge Transfer Adviser – North West London and Hertfordshire; Jan Stringer, Knowledge Transfer Adviser – East Anglia and Central London

Session type: Workshop
Audience: Practitioners and Academics 

Learn how to support prospective partners to create viable KTP projects that accelerate business innovation and make the most of Associate skills within the KTP timeframe.  You will learn the key factors that will enable you to test the feasibility of project ideas and ways to influence partner expectations so that scope, quality and resources align.  In this way you will improve partner-Associate relations, remain outcomes-focused, and enable smoother KTP innovation journeys.

This workshop is led by Dr Sabina Strachan and draws from what works in real-world settings, supported by unique how2glu ‘glucard™’ tools, and graphically illustrated with best-practice examples and insights from Sabina’s direct experiences.

Speaker: Dr Sabina Strachan, how2glu

how2glu provides research and management consultancy, business advice and training with a particular focus on effective collaboration.  Its founder, Dr Sabina Strachan, is a strategist and expert problem-solver who has worked with strategic stakeholders for 25 years. The how2glu approach is practical, facilitative and action-oriented – i.e. ‘What works in the real world, not the ideal world’.

As a trainer, Sabina specialises in collaboration, innovation, inclusion and career development programmes, helping participants develop and harness a wide range of ‘soft’ skills and strategies and make connections across sectors.  As a consultant and business advisor, she supports organisations and businesses to make strong cases for support, diversify income, achieve organisational stability, and accelerate partnerships.

• Website: https://www.how2glu.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabinastrachan/

Session type: Workshop
Audience: All

Learn how to build a reputation as a go-to source of credible expert insight among policy makers. Through practical exercises, case studies and expert presentations this session explores how best to engage with aspects of the national policy making process that regularly call on the input of academic, technical and industry expertise.

Speakers: Mark Fuller and Arlen Pettitt, Showrunner Communications

Showrunner Communications specialises in helping experts and innovators to play a role in local, national and international policy making. Our consultants combine high level expertise of the influencing techniques used in corporate public affairs and social purpose campaigning, with a deep understanding of higher education. Teams of academics at universities including Durham, Essex, Exeter, Manchester Metropolitan, Newcastle and Southampton have benefitted from our support over recent years, as well as business leaders from a variety of sectors, including tech, infrastructure and construction.

Sponsored by Manchester Metropolitan University’s think tank, Metropolis

Session type: Workshop
Audience: All

Make all your presentations smarter and more engaging by becoming a Smart Presenter.

In this 1-hour masterclass, award-winning journalist/presenter Paul Lockitt (BBC, Bauer, SKY, Granada) reveals the 4 essential tips and techniques, used by professional presenters, to help you supercharge your PowerPoints.

• Smarter Delivery – add polish to your personal presenting-style and banish the fear.
• Smarter Preparation – add structure to your content for a more professional presentation.
• Smarter Slideshows – pointers from the professionals on sharpening your slides.
• Smarter Engagement – using the tricks of the trade to make a memorable impression

Speaker: Paul Lockitt

Paul Lockitt is a journalist, a BBC presenter and a presentation skills coach.

Paul came to broadcasting from a theatrical background and has notched up 30 years delivering prime-time breakfast news for the BBC and Bauer Media, for which he has won the prestigious Sky/ITN National News Presenter of the Year Award no less than five times.

Paul has also appeared regularly as a reporter on the popular Sky Sports ‘Soccer Saturday’ show, in addition to his voice-over work for Granada Television and scores of corporate videos.

Alongside all of this, Paul has become a leading training consultant, improving the communication skills for hundreds of people in the UK, Europe, Dubai and the USA

Among his major coaching clients are Mitsubishi, Kellanova, Hitachi, ABF (the company that owns Primark), United Nations, Price Waterhouse Cooper, the NHS, the British Dental Association, Co-op, British Airways, plus dozens of politicians and professionals.

Among his claims to fame are continuity announcements on BBC1 and being the ‘voice of the bollards’ – automatic traffic management barriers - which has won him some notoriety among UK motorists!

Paul has also shared the stage with high-ranking politicians and world leaders, chairing Q and A sessions with former Prime Ministers David Cameron and Gordon Brown, and the former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

Session type: Seminar
Audience: Associates

Learn how to maximise your impact and manage risks effectively by revisiting the intended outcomes, reassessing available resources and re-establishing priorities in the early stages of your KTP.  You will learn how best to involve your partner in this process, embrace the agency you have as an Associate, and manage your own expectations and those of your partner.  In this way you will be able to strengthen your partnership, build in outcomes-focused review points, and pave a smoother path to innovation.

This workshop is led by Dr Sabina Strachan and draws from what works in real-world settings, supported by unique how2glu ‘glucard™’ tools, and graphically illustrated with best-practice examples and insights from Sabina’s direct experiences.

Speaker: Dr Sabina Strachan, how2glu

business advice and training with a particular focus on effective collaboration.  Its founder, Dr Sabina Strachan, is a strategist and expert problem-solver who has worked with strategic stakeholders for 25 years.  The how2glu approach is practical, facilitative and action-oriented – i.e. ‘What works in the real world, not the ideal world’.

As a trainer, Sabina specialises in collaboration, innovation, inclusion and career development programmes, helping participants develop and harness a wide range of ‘soft’ skills and strategies and make connections across sectors.  As a consultant and business advisor, she supports organisations and businesses to make strong cases for support, diversify income, achieve organisational stability, and accelerate partnerships.

• Website: https://www.how2glu.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabinastrachan/

Session type: Practice-sharing seminar / Panel discussion
Audience: Practitioners and Academics

This session explores how KTPs can serve as powerful vehicles for impact generation within the context of REF 2029. 

Impact and knowledge exchange professionals from the Universities of Salford, Manchester, and Manchester Metropolitan University will share insights on how KTP activity can be strategically planned, tracked, and evidenced to support high-quality impact case studies.  Drawing on good practice examples from REF 2021, the session will highlight how KTPs have contributed to successful submissions across a range of Units of Assessment. 

The session will include testimonials from three industry partners who benefited from research partnerships with the three respective HE institutions using the KTP programme as a collaborative mechanism.

Participants will gain practical guidance on aligning KTP outputs with the REF definition of impact, selecting appropriate indicators and evidence, and embedding impact planning throughout the lifecycle of a KTP project.  The discussion will also consider how KTP-driven impact aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and contributes to institutional strategies, including global impact rankings.

Speakers: Industry partners, Impact and Knowledge Exchange leads from Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Manchester and the University of Salford.

The speakers are business leaders, and experienced professionals working across knowledge exchange, research partnerships, and impact generation. Collectively, they have supported a wide range of KTPs and impact case studies across disciplines, helping academic teams translate collaborative research into demonstrable change for REF submissions and beyond.

Session type: Seminar
Audience: All

Through expert presentations and case studies, with interactive Q&A, this session explores key approaches enabling strategy to be described and analysed, reviewed and implemented, underpinned by a market-oriented approach and supported by use of evolving technologies such as AI.

In particular three topics will be covered, with real-life examples:

• Strategy Frameworks and Examples
• Business Models and Stakeholder Partnerships
• AI Enabled Research and Segmentation Techniques

After this workshop, participants will be able to: 

• Articulate clearly the link between core strategy and key tactical projects to be articulated and broadly understood.
• Understand how to utilise partnerships successfully to overcome resource limitations in a way consistent with the overall business approach.
• Use AI as a significant tool for both operational and strategic activities, in a low-cost way in most instances.

Speaker: Professor Paul Smith, Manchester Metropolitan University

Professor Paul Smith is a Professor of Marketing, with experience of successful completion of 5 Management KTPs, and two major grant funded contract research projects. His research interests are primarily in market research and innovation, but his expertise spans marketing strategy, B2B marketing, complex statistical modelling and business applications of AI and machine learning.

He is a former senior partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, where he specialised in technology enabled process transformation for a wide range of industries and clients, and where he had significant strategic responsibilities. Paul is a Board advisor to multiple large and small organisations, including the Gambling Commission, a leading global professional services firm and multiple UK SMEs.

Session type: Workshop
Audience: All (participants can only attend one session)

Join us for an engaging workshop utilising the innovative LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology to explore and reflect on best practices to collaborate across industry, academia and customers.  This creative and hands-on building process helps you visualise your processes and strengths within your collaboration methods and processes, offering a unique and interactive way to help you map out next steps in your professional practice.

After this workshop, participants will be able to:

• reflect on the individual process of collaboration
• highlight personal strengths
• identify gaps in practice
• develop a next step plan for professional growth

Speaker: Dr Ciara Reidy, Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist

Dr Ciara Reidy is a chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist with over five years of experience supporting individuals and groups through a holistic approach, helping people unlock their potential and perform at their best while maintaining a positive mental health. Her work centres on the person behind the performer – fostering self-awareness and clarity so they can take confident steps toward their personal and professional goals.

Session type: Workshop
Audience: Practitioners and Academics

This interactive session will explore current efforts to broaden participation in KTP, with a focus on engaging underrepresented groups.  The session will begin with a brief overview of Innovate UK’s current direction, followed by two case-led initiatives – one supporting greater academic engagement from women, and another aimed at increasing participation from women in business.  We’ll examine what’s working regionally across academic and business communities, what challenges remain, and what support is still needed.  Attendees will be invited to contribute ideas and experiences, leaving with practical insights to help create a more inclusive and representative KTP landscape.

Speakers: Serena Broadway and Karen Souza, Innovate UK Business Connect; Elaine Wallace, West of Scotland KTP Centre; Sophie O’Callaghan, University of Exeter

Session type: Workshop 
Audience: Practitioners and Academics

Showcasing the successful strategies and practices of the GM Innovation Ecosystem in engaging with new and larger companies, and to provide actionable insights for university development teams across the UK.

• Introduction to the GM Innovation Ecosystem: Overview of the ecosystem and its components. Importance of collaboration between universities and business support organisations.
• Engaging New Companies in the Ecosystem: Strategies for identifying and engaging companies new to the Growth Hub (‘Dark Matter’). Case studies of successful engagements.
• Routes through to KTP (Knowledge Transfer Partnerships): Explanation of positioning of KTP through other funded programmes. Pathways for companies to engage in KTP.
• Positioning Support with Larger Companies: Techniques for shifting focus from micro to larger companies. Examples of successful collaborations with larger enterprises.
• Successes on the Programmes: Highlighting key successes and outcomes from our programmes, both ERDF & UKSPF. Data visualisation and impacts.
• Adopting the Approach in Other Universities: Practical steps and recommendations for other universities to implement similar strategies. Discussion on scalability and customisation for different regions.

Speaker: Dharma Nurse, Senior Innovation Development Manager, GM Business Growth Hub

Session type: Workshop
Audience: Associates

As a KTP Associate you may be required to launch a new product or service or lead a business division via improved ways of working, success depends on your ability to manage finances, risks, and projects effectively.

This workshop introduces key financial concepts and shows how to apply them through sound project and risk management to drive profit and long-term value. 

Participants will learn how to:

• Develop business models and sales forecasts.
• Understand turnover vs. profit, cost structures, and tax.
• Interpret Profit & Loss and Cashflow statements.
• Build financial forecasts and identify investment needs.
• Apply risk and project management to maximize returns.

Speaker: Dr Frank Allison, CEO, FIS360 Ltd

Dr Frank Allison is an expert in the commercialisation of technologies, from concept to commercial product. He has developed and delivered several commercialisation programmes, including Sellafield’s Game Changers open innovation programme.  He has over 20 years’ of experience commercialising early-stage technologies, licensing and spin-out, into a wide range of sectors both nationally and internationally, including working in the Middle East to establish a technology transfer business unit and innovation investment fund for Dhahran Techno Valley Company (DTVC), Saudi Arabia.

Frank has also spent many years working in the steel, space and aerospace industries in the UK and US.  He currently mentors early-stage companies, sits on several innovation committees, and has a real passion and enthusiasm for making a difference.

Session type: Workshop
Audience: Practitioners and Academics

This workshop will help you successfully manage your KTP project finances and interpret the financial statement, covering everything from Associate forecasting to the process for moving money between budgets, you will gain a wider understanding of all KTP finance processes.

Speakers: Eileen Maltby, West of Scotland KTP Centre; Emma Craig, North of Scotland KTP Centre; Annaliese Santer, East of Scotland KTP Centre; Emma Mawby, Manchester Metropolitan University; Emma Kelly, Manchester Metropolitan University

This session will be led by teams from the regional KTP Centres in Scotland and the Manchester Metropolitan University, both of which have many years of experience in providing centralised support and successfully delivering KTPs.

Session type: Workshop
Audience: All 

This interactive, hands-on session offers an accessible introduction to using AI within the context of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. Rather than focusing solely on tools or prompts, the workshop explores how AI can act as a creative and strategic thought partner-helping individuals and teams to navigate complexity, unlock time, and enhance the value of their work. We’ll particularly explore how GenAI can serve as an intelligent soundboard, enabling you to articulate, examine and refine your thinking through structured dialogue. The emphasis is on mindset, not mastery: we’ll share grounded examples, simple principles, and opportunities to explore where AI might support your work - without compromising on human insight, ethics or authenticity.

After this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Identify practical, values-aligned opportunities for AI use in KTP activities
• Understand the foundations of working well with AI – from framing problems to guiding outputs
• Use AI as a reflective soundboard to clarify thinking, challenge assumptions, and develop ideas
• Approach AI as a collaborative enabler of insight, reflection and progress

Speakers: Alexander Leonard, University of Salford; Rupert Lorraine, University of Plymouth

Alexander Leonard is the Research, Design, and User Experience Lead at the University of Salford, dedicated to exploring how people engage with technology by uncovering their needs, behaviours, and emerging trends to ensure digital tools empower rather than hinder human activity. Combining strategic insight with innovative thinking, they transform these observations into actionable solutions that drive digital transformation.

Rupert Lorraine is Director of The Bridge at the University of Plymouth, where he leads cross-disciplinary work at the intersection of research, education, knowledge exchange and civic engagement.  He champions the role of culture, creativity, and technology in driving inclusive and place-based innovation, helping people and places realise their potential.  A passionate advocate for responsible AI, Rupert works to demystify emerging technologies and make them more accessible through clear, human-centred approaches that support practical adoption. His work spans strategic leadership, partnership development, and programme design, supporting international, national, and regional initiatives that connect policy, business, and the creative economy.

Session type: Keynote
Audience: All

From navigating postnatal depression to rowing 2,700 miles across the Pacific Ocean, Purusha Gordon shares a story of resilience, connection, and personal transformation.  What began as an extraordinary challenge taken on by an ordinary woman became something far deeper: a journey shaped not just by the physical demands of life at sea, but by the unexpected lessons that surfaced along the way.  From the quiet strength of a kind, cohesive team to the mental clarity found through disconnection from the digital world, this talk explores how we find perspective, purpose, and one another when everything else is stripped back.

Speaker: Purusha Gordon

Guinness World Record Breaker Purusha is living proof that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things, given the tools to develop a positive and resilient mindset.

Purusha transformed her health, wellbeing and self-belief 10 years ago, inspiring her mantra that it’s never too late (or too early!) to make a change, confront our fears and develop an ‘I can and I will’ approach to life.

In 2021, with no prior rowing experience, she started Ocean Sheroes rowing team. Together they went on to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest all-female team of four to row across the Pacific Ocean. For 35 days at sea, Purusha rowed: two hours on, two hours off, 24/7 from San Francisco to Hawaii - enduring sea sickness, acute fatigue, biting winds and biblical storms. To this day, the team maintain it was Purusha’s guidance, strong values, positive mindset and culture of kindness that got them through it all, even managing to shave 15 days off the previous record.

Session type: Conversation 
Audience: All

This open, reflective session invites participants to consider how AI is reshaping not just what we do, but how we think about ourselves and our value in knowledge exchange.  Through discussion and shared experience, we’ll explore AI’s influence on collaboration, creativity, and strategy across KTPs - including how AI can help us become more thoughtful practitioners by providing space to reflect on our own motivations, biases, and decision-making processes. We’ll consider how we can shape AI adoption in ways that centre people, relationships and ethical responsibility.

After this session, participants will be able to:

• Reflect on how AI is influencing their role, relationships and professional identity within KTPs
• Use AI-supported reflection to gain deeper insights into their own practice and assumptions
• Explore how AI can enable more inclusive, strategic, and imaginative approaches to knowledge exchange
• Contribute with confidence to institutional and sector-wide conversations about responsible AI adoption

Speakers: Alexander Leonard, University of Salford; Rupert Lorraine, University of Plymouth

Alexander Leonard is the Research, Design, and User Experience Lead at the University of Salford, dedicated to exploring how people engage with technology by uncovering their needs, behaviours, and emerging trends to ensure digital tools empower rather than hinder human activity. Combining strategic insight with innovative thinking, they transform these observations into actionable solutions that drive digital transformation.

Rupert Lorraine is Director of The Bridge at the University of Plymouth, where he leads cross-disciplinary work at the intersection of research, education, knowledge exchange and civic engagement. He champions the role of culture, creativity, and technology in driving inclusive and place-based innovation, helping people and places realise their potential. A passionate advocate for responsible AI, Rupert works to demystify emerging technologies and make them more accessible through clear, human-centred approaches that support practical adoption. His work spans strategic leadership, partnership development, and programme design, supporting international, national, and regional initiatives that connect policy, business, and the creative economy.

Session type: Seminar
Audience: All

Based on many years of personal experience delivering complex systems of systems to very demanding customers.

In this session participants will:

• Gain insights from real-world examples of the contact sport of delivering innovation
• Learn why selling skills are important for all
• Learn how to know what their customers really want
• Learn how to listen and speak in different languages

Speaker: Rob Rolley, Knowledge Transfer Adviser - Wales

Rob is the Knowledge Transfer Adviser for Wales.

As an ex Industrial executive and technical specialist, he has many years of experience gained from delivering complex systems of systems in the Telecommunications, Defence, Cyber and Security industries.

He chairs the Industrial Advisory Board at Cardiff University and is a member of the Technology Leadership Council for Technology Connected, helping to promote technology, skills, and manufacturing in Wales.  In his free time, you may catch him playing in 99%Chimp a rock covers band.

Session type: Workshop
Audience: All

We appreciate that change is a constant, so why is change still a challenge?

Disturbing statistics – remind us that the average success rate has remained persistently low. Less than one-third of respondents—all of whom had been part of a transformation in the past five years—say their companies’ transformations have been successful at both improving organizational performance and sustaining those improvements over time (McKinsey Global Survey 2021). The brutal fact is that about 70% of all change initiatives fail (Harvard Business Review 2000 ‘Cracking the Code of Change’).

At Ashorne Advantage we understand change. We have identified 5 component elements which leaders need to get right. Elements in which leaders can take practical action to make change stick - REACH

• R Receptivity – are we ready?
• E Engagement – have we got the right ambassadors onboard?
• A Action – are we doing the right things?
• C Challenge – what challenges can we foresee? How are we going to overcome these?
• H Habit – how are we encouraging / rewarding the right behaviour and making this stick?

Find out in this experiential session with Rich Tricker how you can tie an Alpine Butterfly knot and learn to lead change that sticks.

Speaker: Rich Tricker, Ashorne Hill

Rich is a dynamic force within the Ashorne Advantage Facilitation Team, known for his ability to transform traditional training into immersive, energising experiences.  With a flair for designing and delivering interactive learning solutions, Rich creates learning environments where people feel empowered to explore, challenge, and grow.  His sessions are more than just training they’re catalysts for transformation, where ideas spark, confidence builds, and real change begins.

With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, Rich brings a rare blend of strategic insight and human connection.  His career began in the financial services sector, where he led national teams at Allianz and NFU Mutual, shaping high-performance cultures.  As the founder of his own consultancy, he partnered with PwC and their audit clients, delivering bespoke learning solutions that made a measurable difference.  Before joining Ashore Hill, Rich took on the global challenge of redesigning Jaguar Land Rover’s retailer sales training an ambitious project that showcased his ability to lead complex, high-impact initiatives across borders.  Whether managing national teams or spearheading global L&D strategies, Rich’s focus has always been the same: unlocking potential and driving performance through meaningful learning.

Session type: Round table
Audience: Practitioners

Join us for an engaging workshop utilising the innovative LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology to explore and reflect on driving innovation in your area of work. This creative and hands-on building process helps identify current challenges that cause barriers to innovation and identify actionable next steps to overcome it. This workshop offers a unique and interactive way to visualise challenges and take a proactive approach to overcome them. Furthermore, it teaches you a new method of problem solving.

After this session, participants will be able to:

• identify future potential innovation within their own area
• identify potential innovation barriers
• identify and develop an actionable next steps plan to overcome challenges

Speaker: Dr Ciara Reidy

Dr Ciara Reidy is a chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist with over five years of experience supporting individuals and groups through a holistic approach, helping people unlock their potential and perform at their best while maintaining a positive mental health. Her work centres on the person behind the performer – fostering self-awareness and clarity so they can take confident steps toward their personal and professional goals.

Session type: Workshop
Audience: Practitioners and Academics

Exploring the evolving KTP recruitment landscape and discussing the tools and techniques our community finds effective. This interactive session will provide an opportunity for you to hear and share your recruitment challenges and successes. Acquiring tips on how to confidently navigate recruitment practices and deliver maximum impact from your partnerships.

After this session you will have a robust toolkit to best adapt to your practice.

Speakers: Rosi Newman, Leeds Beckett University; Emma Craig, North of Scotland KTP Centre; Jannine Thomas, Manchester Metropolitan University; Ceri Carr, Manchester Metropolitan University

With over 50 years’ experience of the full KTP life cycle, Rosi, Emma, Ceri and Jannine have seen most things while searching for the perfect candidate.  Their blend of unique experience including navigating HR nuances while supporting projects across several Scottish universities and leading graduate recruitment in HE Careers, allows them to talk knowledgeably about the techniques used to recruit award winning KTP Associates while meeting the competing focus of business and academia.

Session type: Workshop
Audience: Associates

Innovate UK’s Innovation Canvas is designed to help you create value from innovation and identify the changes needed to make your idea succeed. It provides a simple framework for assessing the strengths and weaknesses of a specific innovation project, identifying the most urgent challenges to overcome, and prioritising what actions to take.

In this interactive workshop, you will work with the print version of the Innovation Canvas to map your own strengths, experience, and interests against key factors for successful innovation – from leadership to user understanding and risk management. The insights you gain will help identify where you can add value as a future innovation practitioner.

Speakers: John Bound, Knowledge Transfer Manager – Innovation and Design; Bethany Procter, Temporary Innovation Academy Content Manager; Ian Heywood, Knowledge Transfer Adviser – North Scotland

Session type: Interactive Q&A session
Audience: Practitioners and academics

This seminar will explain different models of IP ownership to maximise return to universities through a dynamic Q&A session focused on shared learnings from a Regional Innovation Fund project.  The collaboration trialled a cooperative programme across Greater Manchester’s HEI network in support of the regional innovation ecosystem.  Through sharing best practice and creating a sustainable model of peer support, the collaboration is helping to build a more connected, resilient and high-performing innovation landscape across the region.

Speakers: Paul Cihlar, University of Salford; Claire Arkwright, The University of Manchester Innovation Factory

Session type: Workshop
Audience: Practitioners and academics

Join KTP Practitioners, KTP Advisers and two public sector organisations - the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust - to learn all you need to know about the latest form of KTP funding.

Drawing on real-life case studies and best practice from across the KTP community, you’ll take a deep dive into the Public Sector MKTP lifecycle.

After this workshop participants will be able to:

• Build awareness of Public Sector MKTPs with key internal and external stakeholders
• Understand the barriers to engagement with the public sector, and how to overcome them
• Shape their project: refining the concept, understanding the challenges, and ‘productising’ the solution
• Construct the business case: applying a data-driven approach to quantifying impact 
• The Public sector: Special considerations for public sector MKTPs
• Set up and deliver projects: key considerations for contracting, recruitment, and delivery

Speakers: Susan Suttle, Knowledge Transfer Adviser for Liverpool, East Lancashire and Salford; Alistair Roddie, Manchester Metropolitan University; Northern Care Alliance; Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Session details are current being finalised and will be confirmed shortly.

Session type: Panel discussion and Q&A
Audience: All