Leeds Beckett Innovation projects earn top ‘Outstanding’ rating from Innovate UK
Two research-led Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) projects between Leeds Beckett University (LBU) and Yorkshire-based companies Sniffers Pet Care and Ardent have achieved the highest possible grading of Outstanding from Innovate UK.
The recognition highlights the significant commercial impact, innovation, and long‑term growth and sustainability delivered through the university’s research expertise and close collaboration with its industry partners in the region and beyond.
Jo Griffiths, Head of KTP at Leeds Beckett, explained: “The KTPs have brought exceptional expertise, innovative new ways of working, and lasting impact to Sniffers and Ardent. KTPs are a unique and powerful partnership which brings together academic experts, a company wanting to grow sustainably and innovate in their field, and a skilled KTP Associate recruited to carry out the project as a full-time member of the company.
“At LBU we are in the top 10 universities in the country for the size of our KTP programme. Our team is dedicated to creating true partnerships with the businesses we work with, which extend beyond the life of the project and into further programmes of support and opportunities across the university and our talented students and academic experts. Both of the KTP Associates for Sniffers and Ardent are graduates of LBU.”
The highlights of the Sniffers project achievements include:
- Launching new natural pet treat brand NAW into mainstream retailers including Sainsbury’s and Morrisons,
- Creating a base of brand advocates for NAW leading to a returning customer rate of more than 60%,
- Introducing a new trade website, achieving a 31% increase in orders.
The Ardent KTP highlights include:
- Successfully introducing a new international marketing strategy, and corporate culture based on data-led decision-making and marketing intelligence – directly leading to an increase in export numbers,
- The appointment of new Business Development Managers to support international market expansion – and new potential markets are being explored thanks to the new frameworks embedded,
- KTP Associate Stephanie Leung has been made a permanent member of the Ardent team, continuing to embed the new knowledge and skills from LBU.
l-r: Rosi Newman, LBU Funding Support Manager, Dr Catherine Ashworth, Stephanie Leung, Matt Lewindon (Ardent Managing Director)
Jo Griffiths added: “We are thrilled with the Outstanding gradings which reflect our strong commitment to our regional business community as an Anchor institution. Those gradings reflect the high quality of delivery – fewer than 20% of projects across the UK achieve this. The KTP with Ardent has been a fantastic example of how such projects can pivot and support a business as it evolves throughout the project timeline. The project has not only delivered, but exceeded the original remit, and our relationship with the business is now stronger than ever.
“Our partnership with Sniffers has provided powerful insights to ensure the company stays ahead of market trends, customer needs and competitor activity, meaning they can make informed decisions that have driven brand growth and strengthen their position in the pet care market.”
The KTPs were part-funded by UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) through Innovate UK and led by Marketing experts, Dr David Andrews and Helen Hepworth (Sniffers) and Dr Catherine Ashworth (Ardent), in Leeds Business School. A second KTP funding application has now been submitted between LBU and Ardent to further streamline operations and data management.