KTP
Highly-prized leadership potential
aking the transition from university to the business world did not faze Gareth Richards. Not only did the talented entrepreneur secure a post in a local company, he also scooped a top national award. University of Wolverhampton graduate Gareth became one of only five graduates this year to be recognised with a Business Leader of Tomorrow Award, fighting off fierce competition from over 1,200 candidates from across the country. Gareth’s leadership potential became clear during a two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Programme with Wolverhampton-based Chamois Furnishing Ltd, which was organised by the University. Gareth worked on a project to create and implement a new strategic business infrastructure to enhance growth for Chamois, which supplies high-quality kitchens to housing associations, private developers and local authorities. His outstanding performance throughout the KTP resulted in Gareth’s appointment as the new Marketing Manager for Chamois, where he is poised to achieve great things. Ian Mckeown, lead academic for Gareth’s KTP placement, says: "The programme has been an invaluable learning experience for all involved. The strategic development of the company has re-positioned Chamois from regional to national markets and opened up future market and product development opportunities.”
Part-funded by the Government, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships enable firms. such as Chamois to recruit high-calibre graduate to boost their business performance by setting them to work on a specific project lasting between one and three years. Managing Director of Chamois Furnishing Ltd, Andrew Jones-Dutt, is in no doubt about the tangible benefits of taking on a gifted graduate from the University of Wolverhampton. He explains: “His role within the company has proved significant and key to the future standing of the business. We have been fortunate in selecting someone as capable and committed as Gareth in our first KTP experience.” The University of Wolverhampton is an energetic pioneer of the KTP scheme, and has been enormously successful in helping companies across the West Midlands realise their strategic goals with the aid of a graduate. The University’s outstanding track record in this area has been reflected in national league tables, which ranks Wolverhampton fourth in the country out of 144 institutions for the number of KTPs it manages with companies. The University also has the top Business School in the country for delivering Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. Many more companies are set to benefit from a ‘safe pair of hands’ to help them achieve their strategic objectives. For more information, visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/ktp or call: 0800 068 5023.
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