Celebrating Innovation: Highlights from the Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership Awards 2024

KTP at 50: A Legacy of Innovation and What Lies Ahead

Introduction to the 2024 KTP Awards

As Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) programme prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025, the 2024 KTP Awards offered a powerful reflection on decades of innovation and collaboration. Held at The Vox in Birmingham, this spectacular event highlighted the programme’s extraordinary legacy while looking ahead to its exciting future.

Watch the Full Awards Ceremony

Missed the event? Relive the 2024 KTP Awards, featuring inspiring speeches, award presentations, and celebrations. Watch the full livestream below:

A Night to Remember

Inspirational Opening Remarks

The evening opened with an impactful speech by Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, celebrating the success of collaborative efforts between Innovate UK and the West Midlands Combined Authority through the Regional Innovation Action Plan.

Showcasing the Programme’s Impact

Dr Lisa Hazelden, Innovate UK’s Chief Product Officer, highlighted the enduring success of the KTP programme:

“This programme demonstrates the immense power of collaboration, connection, and innovation.”

With over 12,000 projects supported since its inception, the programme has generated over £5 in economic benefits for every £1 invested, contributing more than £2.3 billion to the UK economy in the last decade alone.

Celebrating Innovation and Collaboration

Key Highlights from the Ceremony

The 2024 ceremony introduced two exciting new award categories:

• African Agricultural Award, celebrating the societal and economic impact of KTP projects in Africa.
• Best Promotional KTP Video, recognising creative storytelling in showcasing KTP success.

Guests were also treated to a keynote address by historian and broadcaster Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. A former KTP project associate herself, she delivered an engaging talk on how lessons from history can shape a brighter and more innovative future.

Looking Ahead: 50 Years of KTP

Building on a Legacy

As we approach the 50th anniversary of KTP in 2025, the programme continues to pave the way for impactful collaborations and innovation. This milestone marks not only the achievements of the past but also the promise of even greater contributions to the UK economy and society in the years to come.

Learn More About KTP

Here’s to celebrating 50 years of KTP and the transformative power of collaboration and innovation!

To discover how KTP can benefit you, visit https://iuk-ktp.org.uk.