ID103 Keele Commercial Function

The Idea

Establishment of a small 1-2 FTE team dedicated working across the institution (including with the Partnership Development Managers) to identify, assess, prioritise, secure and deliver tendered opportunities, external grant funding (non-research) and other financial instruments to deliver institutional strategy and priorities, generate net additional income and displace pre-planned institutional investment to a minimum value of £0.3m per annum in Year 1 and materially increasing thereafter.

Why This Idea Should Be Considered

During 2016-2023 £60m+ of external funding was secured to deliver institutional priorities including £12.5m for a new home for KBS to support its’ growth, £15m for Europe’s largest Smart Energy Network Demonstrator and £12m to expand the Keele Growth Corridor UEZ. A renewed laser focus on securing capital and revenue opportunities can support Keele’s further development and sustainability. 

How We Would Implement This Idea

Establishment of a small (1-2 FTE) function (often seen at other universities) on an initial 2 year fixed term basis that undertakes environmental scanning to identify tendered opportunities, external grant funding and other financial instruments e.g. tax incremental financing. These opportunities are then appraised for alignment with institutional and local priorities. Subject to strategic fit the opportunities are then taken forward by the team in conjunction with relevant areas. Subject to approval by the relevant contracting authorities / awarding bodies these opportunities would then be delivered. 

What Success Would Look Like

Success looks like securing material levels of net additional income through tendered opportunities and displacing pre-planned or unfunded institutional capital investment in support of strategic and local priorities. The function could also be used to support the development of the Science and Innovation Park through supporting both new and existing tenants to secure grant funding to locate on the park / expand (as has proven successful in 2025).