Double success for Teesside University in prestigious KTP Awards shortlist

Teesside University is celebrating national recognition in the Innovate UK 2026 Knowledge Transfer Partnership Awards, securing a shortlist place alongside a finalist nomination for a KTP associate.

The annual Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Awards celebrate the exceptional achievements of graduates, universities, and businesses driving innovation across the UK. A KTP is a government-funded collaborative partnership which brings together a forward-thinking business, expert academics and a skilled graduate to tackle strategic innovation challenges and deliver economic, societal or environmental outcomes.

Teesside University’s KTP Team is shortlisted for the Excellence in Knowledge Exchange Support (KTP) Award, recognising commitment to helping businesses innovate and grow through successful partnerships with academic experts.

In addition, KTP associate Samuel Ojuri has been shortlisted in the Emerging Innovation Leader (KTP) Award category for his work in leading the development of an AI-powered platform to enhance design processes and business intelligence.

The University’s KTP Team, based in the University’s Research & Enterprise Office, includes Claire Adams, Gilly Hall and Michaela Young.

Their shortlisting recognises their work in transforming KTPs from a specialist programme into a strategic driver of innovation, research impact and business engagement across the University. Their efforts have delivered remarkable growth, with active KTP projects increasing from eight in 2023 to 27 in 2026.

The team has embedded KTP into the University's culture, helping academics and businesses collaborate to deliver meaningful economic and societal impact, through strong leadership, academic mentoring and close alignment with institutional priorities.

Gilly Hall, Knowledge Transfer Partnership Manager, said: "We are delighted to be shortlisted for this national award. It recognises the collective effort of academics, businesses, associates and professional services colleagues who have helped establish KTP as a strategic driver of innovation, research impact and business engagement across Teesside University. Seeing our portfolio grow while creating meaningful impact for businesses has been incredibly rewarding.”

KTP associate Samuel Ojuri has been recognised for his work on a collaborative project between Teesside University and Stockton-based specialist roofing systems company TaperedPlus Limited. As part of his KTP role, Samuel has led the development of the TaperedPlus Intelligent Design System (TPID), an AI-driven platform designed to support design processes and business intelligence through use of natural language processing, large language models and predictive analytics.

The project aims to increase capacity, improve efficiency and support the company's growth ambitions by automating time-consuming processes and enabling more informed decision-making.

The nomination recognises Samuel's ability to translate complex research into practical business applications, alongside his leadership in helping colleagues embrace new technologies and ways of working. It also recognises his contribution to academic research and conference presentations showcasing AI-enabled innovation within the construction sector.

The KTP project is supported by Teesside University's academic team, including Dr Alessandro Di Stefano and Dr Chaimaa Tarzi, working alongside industry supervisors from TaperedPlus Limited.

Aman Chahal, Co-founder and CEO TaperedPlus, said: “Sam has brought fresh thinking, technical expertise and real enthusiasm to TaperedPlus. What has impressed me most is his ability to connect academic research with the practical and often evolving challenges our team and customers face, helping us use AI and digital technology to improve how we design and deliver roofing insulation solutions.

“We’re proud to see both Sam and the wider KTP team shortlisted. It recognises the commitment behind this partnership and the difference that collaboration between universities and businesses can make.”

Dr Alessandro Di Stefano, academic lead for the TaperedPlus KTP, said: "Samuel’s nomination is thoroughly deserved, and we are all very proud of what he has achieved. Throughout the project, he has shown how AI research can make a real difference to a business, from helping the team handle customer enquiries and find important design information more easily, to improving how the company plans and forecasts.

"It has been a real pleasure working with Samuel, Chaimaa and the wider TaperedPlus team, and this nomination is a wonderful recognition of what we have achieved together."

Professor Cummings, Teesside University Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research & Knowledge Exchange), said: "These nominations recognise the remarkable growth of Teesside University’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership portfolio and reflect the strength of our business partnerships and commitment to driving innovation, productivity and regeneration, particularly across the Tees Valley. As our portfolio continues to grow nationally and internationally, it demonstrates the increasing demand for our expertise and ability to deliver meaningful impact through collaboration.”

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are part-funded by Innovate UK. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Glasgow on 1 December.