For Staff: Consultancy Services
NEW FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT | INSURANCE
Overview
Definition of consultancy
Consultancy can be defined as the provision of expert advice or testing, which draws upon and applies the existing knowledge and expertise of members of staff. It is unlike research in that it does not have as its prime purpose the generation of new knowledge and there is no academic output, such as publications in refereed journals. Consultancy contracts are usually short-term, from a day to a few months, and usually involve extra work for existing staff members rather than employment of new staff.
The definition provided by HEBCI is:
'The provision of expert advice and work which, while it may involve a degree of analysis, measurement or testing, is crucially dependent on a high degree of intellectual input from the HEI to the client (commercial or non-commercial). Such work is usually paid for at a market rate, and may deliver stronger IP rights to the business client than would apply in a collaborative research relationship.'
Consultancy Services - How can we help you?
We aim to make it as simple as possible for academics and businesses to work together, by:
- providing expert advice and support to academics on working as a consultants and giving support and guidance at every stage of the project life-cycle;
- putting businesses in touch with our academic experts to consult on anything from providing advice to conducting analytical testing; and
- helping to market the University's Specialist Facilities and equipment to businesses.
Consultancy Policy & Procedures
Academics wishing to conduct consultancy must firstly comply with the conditions set out under University of Bath Ordinance 18 - External Work.
Consultancy Services has compiled a Handbook of Procedures (PDF file) as a quick reference guide for academics wishing to undertake consultancy work through the University. The key elements of this handbook are provided on this Web site.
Who can engage in Consultancy?
Consultancy is primarily aimed at academic members of staff who have fulfilled their teaching and research obligations. Any potential new project must therefore be discussed and agreed with the Head of Department or Dean of Faculty, preferably before Consultancy Services is contacted.
Non-academic support staff and PhD students may be able to provide support to academics on consultancy projects, provided they are fully supervised by an academic member of staff. Consultancy services provides support with the procedures for engaging non-academic staff and students.
In some cases, it may be necessary for an academic to call upon the expertise of external subcontractors to perform certain aspects of a consultancy project. Consultancy Services provides support with the procedures for engaging external subcontractors.
NEW Financial Arrangement
From 1st December 2010, the pilot consultancy incentives scheme introduced in August 2007 will cease, and a new financial arrangement will operate.
All consultancy assignments will henceforth follow a new financial arrangement in which a basic Department/School Allocation charge is applied to the net income for each academic on the project. This allocation will be assigned to the department/school as a contribution to overhead recovery.
There are currently three financial arrangements in place:
- Standard: School/Department Allocation = 20% of net consultancy income. A Standard Consultancy Costing and Approvals Form (CCAF) should be used.
- Department of Education: Department Allocation = 50% of net consultancy income. A Department of Education CCAF should be used rather than the standard template.
- School of Management - School Allocation = 20% plus School's R&D fund Allocation = 15% of net consultancy income. A School of Management CCAF should be used rather than the standard template.
This new financial arrangement will affect all new consultancy projects and all existing projects once the end date on the Consultancy Costing and Approval Form (CCAF) has been reached.
Academics can waive all remaining net consultancy income to their salary (less employers, employees NI and tax), or to their personal or a departmental K account.
Insurance
The University carries Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance for work carried out through the University (Consultancy Services) which meets the terms set out by the insurers. One of the terms of cover is that the assignment must be approved and contracted by the University before work commences.
It is therefore very important that you seek the advice of Consultancy Services early on in the project discussion process so that they can ensure a suitable Consultancy Agreement is put into place. We endeavour to protect the University from liabilities which might arise and normally seek an indemnity from clients for any third party claims. See also University Insurance for further information.
Private Consultancy
Private Consultancy is not covered by the University's insurance policies and is not therefore permitted to be carried out on University premises or using any University equipment or the name. Any Academic working in a private capacity is required to gain approval from their Head of Department and to complete a disclaimer that must be signed by the client. If consulting in a private capacity, you are advised to take out your own professional indemnity insurance.