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Leeds Beckett University partners with Bradford business to drive research-led innovation in the UK steel industry
The collaboration brings together academic expertise from across LBU in supply chain management, leadership and computing systems. Working closely with Dent Steel, the team will apply research-driven approaches to introduce data-led warehouse management, alongside organisational and cultural transformation to support future growth.
The 30-month project is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), part-funded by UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) through Innovate UK. It is led by Richard Hitchcock, Lecturer within the Operations and Supply Chain Management subject group at Leeds Business School, who specialises in improving efficiency and resilience in complex industrial environments.
Richard Hitchcock said: “The KTP is an exciting opportunity to overcome the traditional growth barriers in the steel industry, and to help secure the British steel industry’s place in a global market.
“As well as strengthening Dent Steel’s supply chain position, the partnership will transform the working culture at Dent Steel – from succession planning strategies to creating new progression routes and embedding digital skills to attract and retain talent.”
Chris Stokes, Managing Director at Dent Steel, said: “The Government’s new Steel Strategy has created increased demand for UK-made steel for UK infrastructure projects. Steel storage can be a complex challenge, so Dent Steel require an innovative approach to strengthen our position as an important player in the industry.
“The KTP will embed a data-driven warehouse management system within the company, developing innovative efficiency models to optimise complex steel storage operations and boost our competitive positioning in our critical naval defence contracts.”
An experienced graduate will be recruited to manage the project as a KTP Associate. The role, Operational Transformation Project Lead, will be a full-time member of the Dent Steel team, with full support of the LBU academics. For more information and to apply for the role, please visit the Leeds Beckett Jobs website. The closing date for applications is Tuesday 17 February 2026.
LBU’s collaboration with Dent Steel began in 2025, when the company took part in the Business Productivity Service project, funded by UK Government through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and delivered by LBU and Exemplas.
The full LBU research team consists of:
- Richard Hitchcock, Lecturer in the Operations and Supply Chain Management subject group at Leeds Business School,
- Dr Karen Vollum-Dix, Senior Lecturer in the Leadership, Governance and People Management subject group at Leeds Business School,
- Dr Maragaret Chawawa, Senior Lecturer in Computing in the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing,
- Dr Mohammad Shan-A-Khuda, Lecturer in Computing in the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing,
- Kiran Voderhobli, Course Director for Computer Science in the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing.
In this article
Dr Karen Vollum-Dix
Senior lecturer in the Leadership, Governance and People Management subject group at Leeds Business School. Doctoral studies were a Phenomenographic study of the variation is individual perceptions of values. Current teaching specialisms include the development of student employability skills and self awareness.
Dr Margaret Chawawa
Margaret is a Senior Lecturer with 17 years’ work experience in Higher Education and a Fellow (2005) and a Senior Fellow (2015) of Higher Education Academy (HEA). During this period Margaret have taken on different leadership roles such as coordinator for overseas delivery in Hong Kong, Final year Under Graduate Project leadership, Deputy Coordinator Academic Integrity, College Validations Panel Membership to mention but a few.
Dr Mohammad Shan-A-Khuda
With a PhD in Data Science from Leeds Beckett University and an MSc in multidisciplinary informatics from the University of Leeds, Mohammad is an astute computing and data science academic with extensive experience in dynamic, cross-disciplinary research and teaching environments.
Kiran Voderhobli
Kiran is the Director of Partnerships and Global Engagement in the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing. In this role, Kiran leads the development and delivery of the School’s global engagement strategy across international partnerships, transnational education (TNE), recruitment collaboration, and industry-connected initiatives that enhance student opportunity and outcomes.
