Manchester Met KTP Associate named ‘Future Leader’ in prestigious awards
Partnerships looking to address climate change and social issues, or improve the UK economy with leading-edge R&D and innovation, were celebrated at the KTP Best of the Best Awards, held online on 23 September 2021.
The ceremony, themed around the spirit of collaboration, showcased the most innovative, impactful, and inspiring projects over the past 12 months.
Olivia was awarded the Future Leader award for her work with Swellaway Ltd to develop a portable wellness device that can cool, heat and compress muscles to help athletes get back to fitness faster.
The wellness device provides cooling, heating and compression without the need for water, ice or gel packs. The functions have been combined into a battery-powered portable device, allowing athletes to receive treatment at home or on the move. The technology was praised by Harry Maguire for its role in getting him fit for Euro2020.
The ProMOTION EV1 device draws on research from Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) as part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership - an initiative encouraging collaboration between businesses and universities.
The Future Leaders award is given to the KTP Associates who have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills, above and beyond expectations. Of the 59 candidates nominated, 20 were shortlisted with Olivia among one of eight to be awarded the prize.
On the award Olivia said: “I am so proud to be a Future Leader award winner at the KTP Awards. It was an honour to be nominated by my KTP team and it was extra special to be announced as one of the winners. The unique tripartite collaboration with UCLan, Manchester Metropolitan University and Swellaway has been brilliant, and I look forward to continue building on this partnership going forward.”
Professor James Selfe, who co leads the project at Manchester Met said: “At the start of the project our KTP advisor (Fiona Nightingale) emphasised the importance of recruiting a high-quality candidate for the role of Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate. We are very pleased that Olivia’s Future Leader award confirms we made the right choice. Olivia has been outstanding in her role, has been central to the successful partnership between UCLan, Manchester Metropolitan University and Swellaway and is a very deserving winning.”
The KTP Best of the Best Awards 2021 celebrate Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), which is a scheme that helps businesses in the UK to innovate and grow by linking them with an academic or research organisation, such as the University, and a graduate who is embedded in the company as a KTP Associate.
If you are interested in discussing a KTP you can find more information using the link below:
