University of Manchester celebrates winners of inaugural Partnership Excellence Awards
Eight awards recognised the people, projects and organisations delivering impact through collaboration, at an evening bringing academics and their collaborative partners together at the Whitworth Art Gallery.
The University of Manchester celebrated the very best in collaboration and knowledge exchange on Wednesday 7 October at the inaugural Partnership Excellence Awards, recognising the people, projects and organisations delivering outstanding impact through partnership working.
Held at the Whitworth Art Gallery as part of the University's Innovation Festival, the awards brought together academics, researchers, professional services colleagues and their external partners and collaborators for an evening of celebration. The inaugural awards attracted more than 120 nominations, with 25 partnerships shortlisted across eight awards. They were organised by the Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange team, led by Dr Louise Bates, Director of Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange, and hosted by compere Adam Lovell.
Welcoming guests, Professor John Holden, Vice-President for Civic Engagement and Innovation, said partnership runs through the University's 91直播 2035 strategy. 鈥淣o matter how good we are as a university, we can only have the scale of impact we want by working with others,鈥� he said. Over the past year, he added, the University has created 191 new business partnerships, around one for every working day, and now ranks first in the UK for contract research with small and medium-sized enterprises.
The awards, Professor Holden said, were about 鈥渞ecognising the people and relationships that make those projects possible鈥� We all know that partnership working depends on brave people.鈥�
This year's winners demonstrate the impact of collaboration across research and innovation, business growth, social enterprise, regional development and strategic industry engagement.
Strategic Alliance Excellence
馃弳 Boots / No7 & Prof. Michael Sherratt and Dr. Abigail Langton
The long-standing partnership between Boots / No7 and The University of Manchester was recognised for its outstanding contribution to skin science and evidence-based skincare. Over more than two decades, the collaboration has translated world-leading research into products used by millions of consumers while generating significant research outputs, investment and innovation.
Regional Partnership Excellence
馃弳 United Utilities & Prof. Timothy Foster
United Utilities was recognised for a long-standing collaboration with the University covering areas including integrated water management, digitisation, robotics, sustainability and skills development. The partnership has helped inform major regional initiatives and continues to support innovation and economic growth across the North-West.
Research Collaboration Excellence
馃弳 FUJIFILM & Prof. Alan Dickson
The partnership between FUJIFILM and the University was recognised for advancing bioprocessing and biomanufacturing research through the Centre of Excellence in Bioprocessing 2.0. The collaboration has supported researchers and PhD students, generated high-quality publications and strengthened the translation of research into industrial applications and novel biological medicines.
Social Enterprise Excellence
馃弳 One World Together & Prof. Nicola Banks
One World Together received the award for its partnership with the University to support changemaking education, community engagement and social impact. The collaboration has secured funding to work with schools across Greater 91直播, provided valuable opportunities for students, and supported community-led organisations both in the UK and internationally.
No matter how good we are as a university, we can only have the scale of impact we want by working with others.
Small Business Partnership Excellence
馃弳 Saraco Industries Ltd & Prof. Sarah Cartmell and Prof. Andrew McBain
Saraco Industries Ltd was recognised for a highly successful partnership that has combined academic expertise with industrial innovation to develop plastic-free clinical disinfection wipes for healthcare applications, while strengthening the company's research and development capability. The collaboration has evolved through multiple projects and demonstrates the long-term value of university-SME partnerships.
Academic Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange Champion
馃弳 Dr Thomas Bannan
Dr Thomas Bannan was recognised for an extensive portfolio of partnerships that translate atmospheric science into public, environmental and economic benefit. His work spans collaboration with local authorities, industry, policymakers and communities, including leadership of air quality initiatives, Innovate UK projects and the 拢1.3 million RAMMIC Retrofit Innovation Centre.
Business Partnership Rising Star
馃弳 Dr Milo Harries
Dr Milo Harries received the Rising Star Award for his work with Leeds City Council and the Aire Resilience Company, using creative and participatory approaches to engage communities around climate resilience and natural flood management. His work has helped strengthen cross-sector collaboration and support the growth of the Aire Resilience Company as a Community Interest Company.
Partnership Excellence of the Year
馃弳 Saraco Industries Ltd & Prof. Sarah Cartmell and Prof. Andrew McBain
The evening's highest accolade, Partnership Excellence of the Year, was awarded to Saraco Industries Ltd in recognition of the depth, longevity and impact of its collaboration with the University. Through multiple collaborative projects, the partnership has combined expertise in bioengineering, microbiology and materials science to drive innovation, support business growth and develop new healthcare solutions with real-world impact.
An evening of partnership
The winners' trophies were designed and manufactured by students in the University's Makerspace, reflecting the creativity and collaboration at the heart of the celebration. The shortlist was reviewed by a panel of 21 judges from academia, leadership, professional services and innovation.
Rising Star category shortlisted nominee Dr Amy Worth had partnered with Eli Lilly and Company for a decade to study the complex neuronal circuitry that underpins the actions of GLP-1 drugs to combat diabetes, obesity and cravings for alcohol. She and lab group lead Professor Simon Luckman said that trust is at the heart of the partnership. 鈥淲e鈥檝e built it up over 20 years, so now there is very open and honest exchange.鈥�
For Dr Joanne Tippett, whose RoundView project was also shortlisted, a good partnership requires: 鈥淚t takes the ability to try something out and find out it doesn't work and learn from that and keep going and iterating on an idea.鈥�
Congratulations to all finalists and the many colleagues, support staff and external partners whose commitment and collaboration underpins the success that these Partnership Excellence Awards celebrated in style.