Held in the Chancellors’ Building on 12 November 2025, the event gathered attendees including academics, business leaders, KTP Associates, and regional partners to honour the transformative power of collaboration between academia and industry.
The evening opened with a warm welcome from Dr Steven Boakes, Head of Business Partnerships and Knowledge Exchange, followed by an inspiring overview from Professor Sarah Hainsworth OBE FREng, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise). Reflecting on the University’s long-standing commitment to impactful research and innovation, she said:
The awarding of 200 KTPs is an impressive milestone and testament to the University of Bath’s researchers and the dedicated Business Partnerships & Knowledge Exchange team, whose work with external organisations continues to deliver meaningful, real-world impact.
The programme featured engaging presentations from KTP partners including Mayden, Seiche, Qualasept (Bath ASU), and IoMosaic, showcasing the breadth of innovation enabled through KTPs—from mental health technology to life sciences and process safety. Lightning talks added energy and variety, highlighting emerging projects and future opportunities.
Dr Ian Brotherston, Deputy Director Innovation Funding Products at Innovate UK, shared insights into the history and national impact of the programme. He reinforced its value with a reported £5 return for every £1 invested and an estimated £2.3 billion in net GVA for the UK economy since the KTP programme's inception.
A standout story came from the partnership between Dr Andrew Watts and Bath ASU, where extended shelf-life methodologies for injectable medicines led to new product launches, reduced NHS waste, and national recognition through the Queen’s Award for Innovation.
The event concluded with networking over drinks and canapés, fostering new connections and sparking ideas for future collaborations.
For more information on KTPs or to explore partnership opportunities, contact the Business Partnerships & Knowledge Exchange team at partnerships@bath.ac.uk or visit the website.