Celebrating 50 Years of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
3 April 2025
2025 marks half a century of innovation and growth through business and academic collaboration.
Established in 1975, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) is one of the longest running Government funded programmes in the UK, contributing an estimated £2.3 billion to the economy from 2010 to 2020, across the UK. Addressing real world ‘business’ challenges, the KTP programme is a dynamic partnership between an organisation, a specialist academic team and a talented graduate or post graduate (the Associate). Led by Innovate UK, KTPs are focused on creating solutions that deliver innovation, economic growth and social or environmental benefits.
In recent years, Welsh KTP projects have created 78 new jobs and attracted £6.5 million in innovation investments. This includes £1.8 million in funding from the Welsh Government, which runs the scheme in partnership with Innovate UK. To celebrate this milestone anniversary, Welsh Government recently held a celebration event at the Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay, which showcased current and past Welsh KTP successes and brought together academic institutions and external organisations from across Wales.
At this event, two successful Cardiff University KTPs with Cerebra and Eriez, were showcased as exemplary partnerships demonstrating the extensive economic and societal benefits provided by the KTP programme.
Cerebra is a Carmarthen-based charity that helps improve the lives of children with brain disorders by supporting their families with their long-term health, education, and social needs. The non-for-profit company has seen a wide range of benefits from its undertaken two successful KTPs. Their recent KTP with Cardiff Business School and Cardiff School of Computer Science and Informatics has developed an AI-driven approach to increasing the effectiveness of Cerebra’s marketing campaigns.
Business Partner Supervisor for Cerebra, Ricky Howells, said:
“This KTP has underpinned the necessity of looking to apply data driven decisions in all aspects of fundraising. As a result we will be able to reach and support more families in the future, making a meaningful difference to the lives of children living with a brain condition.”
Our KTP with Cerebra shows how Cardiff University collaborates with organisations to deliver real-world impact. By combining our expertise in marketing, data analytics, and AI, we developed data-driven strategies that strengthened Cerebra’s donor engagement and long-term sustainability – demonstrating how KTPs drive both organisational growth and wider social value.
Eriez®, a global leader in separation technologies, collaborated with Cardiff School of Engineering on a successful enhanced Knowledge Transfer Partnership (eKTP). eKTPs are part funded by Welsh Government, and add an international element to the KTP programme, offering funding to eligible Welsh companies who may benefit from international knowledge and technology. Headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA, Eriez designs, manufactures, and markets on six continents through 12 wholly owned international subsidiaries. Its European base, Eriez Magnetics Europe Limited is in Bedwas, Caerphilly. Focused on signal processing and the electronic design of a metal detector control, the ektp has led to the development of groundbreaking new series of metal detectors, which are scheduled to launch in early 2024.
Gareth Meese, Managing Director of Eriez-Europe, praised the success of the eKTP:
“The fusion of the technical prowess of the University with Eriez’ industry expertise led to significant advancements in signal processing and electronic design for our new metal detectors.”
Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans said:
“KTPs are an important part of the Welsh innovation ecosystem, driving forward better outcomes for our businesses, our academic institutions, our residents and our environment.
“For 50 years this pioneering programme has enabled businesses and organisations to tap into the expertise of some of the best research that the UK has to offer. It has also accelerated progression for graduates, creating high value, well paid jobs throughout Wales.”
At the event Welsh Government announced that their 75% funding contribution for Welsh SME KTPs will continue until March 2027.
For further information on KTPs and how to apply, contact: BEP@cardiff.ac.uk
