The University of Manchester has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the major bank NatWest, marking the start of a new strategic partnership focused on innovation, enhancing student employability, promoting social mobility and advancing research excellence.
Driven by the University's Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange (BEKE) team, The University of Manchester Innovation Factory, the Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) and the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, the partnership will focus on creating opportunities for collaboration that drive innovation.
The partnership aims to create tangible outcomes to benefit students, staff, businesses and the wider community, across the North West region and beyond.
Students will benefit from real-world learning experiences embedded within their academic programmes, supported by opportunities for internships, placements, and professional mentoring. The partnership also creates scope for a wide range of innovative activities, including enterprise competitions, advanced skills development, and initiatives to nurture entrepreneurial ventures and start-ups.
For staff and researchers, the partnership provides a platform for meaningful engagement with industry, enabling knowledge exchange and joint projects that address emerging challenges and drive innovation.
Dr Cat Headley, CEO of The University of Manchester Innovation Factory, commented: "The signing of this MoU with NatWest is a really positive step in building a partnership that has the potential to span across many areas of innovation in the University, in a way that will benefit researchers, students and entrepreneurs across our community."
The signing event for the MoU was held at The University of Manchester and it was signed by Professor Kenneth McPhail, Head of School at AMBS and Stephen Sankson, Regional Director at NatWest, on NatWest's behalf.
Mr Sankson said of the partnership: "We are delighted to sign this agreement with The University of Manchester. Whether focussing on entrepreneurship with students, supporting spin outs, or helping early-stage ventures to flourish, this partnership will not only provide opportunities to work on our shared goal of supporting growth, but will also be a catalyst for even greater collaboration and innovation across the City Region and beyond."
The MoU establishes a three-year framework for collaboration, with regular reviews to ensure continued progress and impact. A dedicated Steering Committee will guide the partnership, focusing on broad strategic priorities that strengthen innovation, enhance the student experience, and create opportunities for knowledge exchange and enterprise across the University and beyond.
The MoU will merge the University's world-class academic expertise and NatWest's leadership in the financial sector, with the aim of shaping a future of inclusive, sustainable growth.
