Big data expertise seals innovation partnership

Global energy and services company Centrica plc is joining forces with Cardiff University to exploit big data expertise.
  
The company has forged a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Cardiff Business School to create and embed an ‘Accelerated Innovation Process.’

Through data science, the partnership sets out to deliver financial benefits from new products, services, strategic gains from business model innovation and an enhanced entrepreneurial culture inside the company.

The collaboration is led by Luigi M. De Luca, Professor of Marketing and Innovation at Cardiff Business School.

Professor De Luca has been researching big-data-enabled service innovation in large established organisations for several years.

“The KTP provides an outstanding opportunity to align Cardiff Business School’s academic knowhow with Centrica’s long-term innovation strategy to deliver lasting business benefits,” said Professor De Luca.

“My research has focused on organisational processes that enable the transformation of the technological potential of data science, from technologies and analytical competencies to human talent.

Centrica plc, headquartered in Windsor, is listed on the London Stock Exchange and a constituent of the FTSE 100 index.

Peter Sueref, Director of Data Science for Centrica UK, said: “We are very proud that Centrica’s first Knowledge Transfer Partnership is with Cardiff University.  We want to learn practically and through academic research how to embed an accelerated innovation process for Data Science so we can meet the changing needs of our customers.”

Cardiff University is a specialist provider of KTPs and works with a wide range of private, public and Third Sector organisations to transfer academic expertise and research.

Paul Thomas, Business Manager with Research, Innovation and Enterprise Services at Cardiff University, said: “The University has put together more than 200 KTPs with both small and global organisations since the scheme started in the 1970s, adding tangible value to industry, the UK economy, government and charities.

“We’ve helped our KTP partners tackle a range of issues, from boosting productivity to transforming strategy and improving services for homeless people.”