Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
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Shortlisting success for Leeds Beckett’s knowledge transfer initiative
The project to deliver a bespoke software system to model the movement of abnormal loads was delivered by Leeds Beckett staff member, Dr Ruben Escribano, who was embedded at the company’s depot in Goole. Mentoring and academic support to the 18 month project was provided by academics Dr Nick Cope and Dr Andrew Platten with the final phases of the project delivered shortly before Andrew’s death in July 2016.
This project created an opportunity to partner with a local business and better understand the real life applications of our research expertise. The new software system transformed the way the family-owned haulage company does business and has already been graded by Innovate UK as “Outstanding” under their post-award evaluation system.
Professor Cathy Barnes, Director of Research and Enterprise, said: “Shortlisting for the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards is a great achievement for our research and enterprise team and Collett & Sons, a local business with international ambitions and growing success.
“By working together, we have delivered some impressive results. Within the award entry we were able to demonstrate financial and other benefits for Collett & Sons as well as the benefits for Leeds Beckett as we extended our research capabilities in combining mechanical design and digital solutions. I am thrilled that the contribution of colleagues involved in this partnership has been recognised and it will also enhance our University’s reputation as one that means business when it comes to using our expertise to deliver practical solutions within the business and wider community”.
Collet is a fourth generation, family owned small business that has grown on the basis of strong, in depth experience in road haulage and transport. They specialise in transporting and moving difficult loads on an international level. Much of the company’s knowledge has been gained through the long practical experience of senior managers. The partnership gave Collett a credible and innovative capability normally associated with large companies which has enabled them to compete with multinational rivals.
Leeds Beckett University is shortlisted with Cardiff University, University of Edinburgh, Liverpool John Moores University, Newcastle University and University of Wolverhampton for the Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of the Year award. The winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on 22 June.