Steve Hargreaves

I am a Knowledge Transfer Adviser for the East Midlands region. I am responsible for developing and managing a portfolio of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) between businesses and academia in areas including: Lincolnshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. I manage the relationships with Universities in this region and work with other Universities who have KTP projects in my region.

Prior to joining Innovate UK Business Connect, I worked as a Partnerships Manager for two Universities in the Midlands, (Keele and Staffordshire). In my time in these roles, I set up and managed a successful business incubator. In my tenure at these Universities, I project managed innovation projects and managed teams. I set up over 100’s Innovation projects with businesses, leading to establishing and setting up several new Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.

I have a thirst for knowledge, and I enjoy continuously learning which I advocate to others, vocationally I have a business degree and an MBA in Senior Leadership. I am qualified as a Lean practitioner for the Civil Service where I was involved in efficiency projects. I volunteered as vice chair of governors for a school, I have held an advisory role with Barclays Life Skills, and regional Adviser for the national Careers and Enterprise company,

I am a qualified Apprenticeship Assessor, and I freelanced with City and Guilds assessing staff primarily in the Civil Service. In a prior role I was Head of Careers for a multi academy trust, and I helped to set up a successful new sixth form college. I started my career working for large corporations such as Npower but I found my calling working with businesses and graduates which I have specialised in for over 15 years.

I enjoy mentoring and developing graduates and supporting businesses to realise their potential by fulfilling ambitious innovation projects.