Hi Liam, to start us off, can you briefly explain what a KTP is and what your role involved at Kingfisher (Lubrication) Ltd?

I guess the easiest way to describe a Knowledge Transfer Partnership would be the employment of a specialist offering dedicated support to a business that requires a certain skill to be developed or a problem to be solved. The key focus is the transfer of knowledge. In Kingfisher's case, this was the development of Human Resources (HR) and Strategic Marketing functions within the business. Working with various functions of the business, we created a marketing strategy, optimised internal processes and updated the company's HR principles whilst instilling a new organisational culture.

Why did you decide to take on an MRes alongside the KTP, and how does your research topic relate to the live project that you’ve been leading?

The MRes felt like an additional opportunity for me to develop alongside my existing work with Kingfisher. My thesis will focus on business change within Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), and that directly correlates with the work I have been executing during my KTP. Throughout the project, we have implemented various changes to make the business more sustainable and efficient. My MRes offers the opportunity to investigate business change further and the factors that can influence effective or ineffective business change.

You graduated with your BA (Hons) in Marketing Management from LBU in 2023 the summer before starting the KTP - how did your undergraduate studies help you to hit the ground running with this strategic change project?

My undergraduate studies gave me a strong grounding in strategic marketing, from understanding market segmentation to brand positioning and customer insight. That helped me quickly assess the business' needs and spot where improvements could be made.

Because I was already familiar with core frameworks like SWOT, Porter's Five Forces, and market mapping, I could apply them straight away and build structure into the project. My degree also helped me communicate ideas clearly to senior stakeholders, using the right language and evidence to support decisions.

How has the experience of the first year of your MRes been - studying part-time whilst working full-time at Kingfisher?

It's been challenging but beneficial. The work I am completing is directly related to my MRes, so I can write from personal experience. In my opinion, this extra layer of understanding aids my academic writing. Additionally, there has been a continuation in working with the university, as Dr Karen Vollum-Dix (an academic supervisor on the KTP project) is acting as one of my thesis supervisors. This existing level of rapport and understanding has made the process easier despite the challenges of time management.

What support do you receive from your academic supervisors on both your MRes and the KTP?

The support is plentiful and readily available. Whilst academics are busy, they make time to ensure that they are able to help with any problems. From a KTP perspective, both of the academic supervisors (Dr David Andrews and Karen) have a plethora of academic and practical experience that aided decision-making and implementation in the project. Their availability and openness were vital when offering guidance and support.

On the MRes, the academic support is a continuation of the project, having an existing relationship has made the process easier, as there is an additional understanding of the reasoning behind the research amongst all parties.

What have been some of the benefits and challenges of basing your research on a live business project?

One of the main benefits is the network I've built. Whether it be running workshops for other associates or speaking at events on behalf of the university, this has connected me with a broad range of SMEs, which has strengthened my network for research examples.

On the other hand, researching within the same environment where I work creates challenges. Existing relationships with employees can make it harder to fully separate my role as a researcher from my role in the business, as there is an existing history between us.

What other development opportunities did you experience through the KTP?

The KTP was an excellent catalyst for my personal development. With the dedicated PDP budget, I was able to complete media training based on David’s recommendations. This improved my public speaking confidence and identified methods for persuasive communication. I was able to use this to good effect by embracing the opportunity to be a guest speaker at events.

Additionally, I am completing a professional diploma in Digital Marketing to refresh my knowledge ahead of major digital projects at Kingfisher and develop new skills on the usage of AI in marketing.

Now that the KTP has finished, what’s next for you? And how do you think the experience has helped shape your career direction so far?

Following the completion of the KTP, I have been offered a permanent position with Kingfisher. My new position will reprise similar responsibilities to my previous role as a KTP Associate, as we look to build upon the foundations that were developed during the project. The new role focuses on Marketing and Continuous Improvement.

The experience has positively shaped my career in ways I didn't expect. It has equipped me with new skills and areas of knowledge that I did not foresee myself developing. For example, I have developed my people management and project management skills extensively. I believe this will help me greatly in my future endeavours.