University recognised for helping businesses grow and creating hundreds of jobs

The University of Hertfordshire is encouraging organisations to explore how it can support their growth after achieving top ratings for business engagement, innovation and economic impact in the latest Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF).

Launched by Research England in 2019, KEF evaluates how effectively universities work with businesses, public services and communities to deliver economic and social impact.

It also enables institutions to benchmark their performance, ensure effective use of public funding, and compare outcomes within clusters of similarly sized universities.

In the latest results, Herts maintained its position as one of the strongest-performing universities in its peer group, achieving the highest possible rating for both research partnerships and local growth and engagement.

The University also secured strong ratings for its work with businesses, intellectual property and commercialisation, graduate start-ups and continuing professional development, as well as engagement with public and third-sector organisations.

A significant factor in this success is the University's outstanding record in Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), having secured funding for more than 100 projects that have supported innovation, growth and knowledge exchange between academia and industry.

The results place Herts among the leading institutions in Cluster E, a group of 32 large, moderately research-intensive universities with broad discipline portfolios, including Anglia Ruskin, Greenwich, Brighton, Oxford Brookes, Kingston and Manchester Metropolitan universities.

Dr Pete Gooden, Director of Research and Enterprise at the University of Hertfordshire, said:

"This recognition reflects the real difference our partnerships are making to businesses and communities. Through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, business incubation and innovation support programmes, we help organisations turn ideas into new products, new services and new opportunities for growth.

"Since 2018, we've supported more than 300 businesses through our incubator programmes, while our wider enterprise activity has helped create hundreds of student and graduate-led start-ups and more than 600 jobs in the latest year alone.

"That's exactly what knowledge exchange is about: connecting academic expertise with real-world challenges to create economic impact, support innovation and help organisations thrive."

Professor Tim Vorley OBE, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hertfordshire, added:

"These results highlight the breadth of support available to businesses through the University and the strength of the partnerships we have built across the region and beyond.

"Whether you are a start-up, scale-up or established organisation, we have the expertise, facilities and networks to help you innovate, overcome challenges and unlock new opportunities.

"This recognition is testament to the dedication of our staff, partners and graduate entrepreneurs, and reinforces our role as a catalyst for economic growth, social mobility and positive change."

The latest KEF results follow national success for the University's enterprise activity, with one of its accelerator projects – SHAKE Climate Change - being shortlisted for the Times Higher Education’s (THE’s) Knowledge Exchange Initiative of the Year in September. Knowledge Exchange UK have then just also shortlisted the project for Collaboration of the Year award, and Herts’ wider Innovation Team for Team of the Year categories.

To find out more about how the University can support your business to grow, please visit For business or get in touch.