Creating meaningful impact for a business - A day in the life of a ktp associate

Why I chose to become a KTP Associate

I chose to become a KTP Associate for a number of reasons…

First of all, having heard about KTPs since graduating from my master’s course, I knew that KTP is a mix of learning, applying skills, and making a genuine impact on a business.

Secondly, there’s a lot of support along the way when you become a KTP Associate, including a £2,000 annual budget for personal development, which I can spend on courses, conferences, and anything that helps me upskill.

And finally, I was especially drawn to the idea of working on something that has meaningful commercial impact. My KTP at Westdale Group focuses on creating and embedding a more cohesive business model that includes strategic marketing and decision-making capability integrated across the group. I believe this has the potential for a huge, meaningful impact not just on how the business operates day to day but also on its long-term growth and direction.

An unusual but rewarding career path

As a KTP Associate, I’m not just part of a team – I lead a project that solves real problems. So far I’ve picked up valuable skills that the industry is looking for, from project management to stakeholder communication and strategic thinking.

The role has pushed me in a good way. It’s helped me grow professionally while actually making a big difference.

Having some experience beforehand made a noticeable difference, as it helped me get more from my role right from the start. Before beginning my KTP, I had around two years of industry experience after graduating from my master’s. That time helped grow my commercial awareness and made it much easier to step into the KTP Associate role with confidence.

Working with multiple stakeholders on one mission

One of the things that makes the KTP experience unique is having more than one stakeholder. As a KTP Associate I’m supported by two academic supervisors from the university, a company supervisor where I’m based, and a KTP Advisor from Innovate UK Business Connect. Each person brings a different perspective, and I work closely with all of them.

At first, it can feel like a lot to balance, but it’s actually a huge benefit. I get advice from both the business and academic sides, and that helps me stay on track and grow in the role. We are all working towards the same goal, and I’m the one bringing it all together.

Meetings matter a lot in a KTP Associate role

Meetings are an important part of the KTP role. Each week, I’ll usually have a meeting with my academic supervisors and have a separate meeting with my company supervisor. These help me stay aligned and keep things moving, though sometimes they happen every other week, depending on schedules.

Once a month, there’s a Monthly Management Committee (MMC) meeting, where me and my academic and company supervisors come together to discuss how the KTP project is progressing.

Every three to four months, I’ll also have a Local Management Committee (LMC) meeting, which includes my supervisors and my KTP Advisor from Innovate UK Business Connect. As the KTP Associate, it’s part of my job to organise these meetings and make sure the time is used well to keep everything on track.

Would I recommend becoming a KTP Associate?

Yes, I would definitely recommend becoming a KTP Associate. The benefits of KTP are genuine; you get to lead a meaningful project, gain new skills, and grow professionally with solid support around you.

The impact of KTP on both your career and the business can be huge. That said, it’s important to take time to understand how KTP works before jumping in, so you know what to expect and can make the most of the opportunity.

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