Essex celebrates inspirational business innovations

Groundbreaking partnerships that are revolutionising industries around the country have been recognised during the University of Essex’s Celebration of Innovation.

The annual event highlights outstanding collaborations between Essex academics and businesses, charities, or organisations that have led to new and innovative ways of working.

Njord Offshore claimed the Best Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) award on the night for their commitment to developing a turbine warning system.

Other winners on the night included Pursuing Independent Paths, whose KTP with Essex claimed the Best Third Sector Partnership Award, while the Best Short Project prize went to Schools Out.

There was also individual recognition for Essex MSc Intelligent Robotics and Embedded Systems graduate, Manuel Verduzco Valenzuela, for his work with Mel Aviation Components. Manuel won the Rising Star Award, while the Academic of the Year went to Essex Business School’s Professor Niraj Kumar.

Essex’s Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research, Professor Chris Greer, said: “Our Celebration of Innovation never fails to impress and this year was no exception, highlighting how our brilliant academics are making a real difference through their research.

“Our work with businesses and charities demonstrates the value universities bring beyond education and how we are directly impacting the economy. Through these partnerships, our academics are revolutionising industries and changing the way they work for the better.

“With more than 50 active KTPs, Essex has positioned itself as a real leader in knowledge exchange, and I look forward to seeing how our innovative thinking can continue to push the boundaries of what is possible.”

This year’s Celebration of Innovation featured a keynote speech from AI and data expert Josie West, the Chief Innovation Officer of FOIL Data & AI.

There were also speeches from special guests Pam Cox, Colchester MP, and Dr Ian Brotherston, Innovate UK’s Deputy Director for Innovation Funding Products.

Essex’s KTP manager, Robert Schatten, hosted an Innovation Ask Me Anything panel which featured Tom Mehew, Director of Njord Offshore, KTP Associate Darren Smith, We Are the Minories, and IADS Deputy Director, Dr Martha Fernandez De Arroyabe Arranz.

Holly Leonard, Head of Business Engagement (Interim) said: “The Celebration of Innovation 2025 proved to be an inspiring evening again this year and a great opportunity to celebrate our colleagues and partners' hard work and dedication.

“It was particularly gratifying to hear about the impact our research is having from the businesses, charities and other organisations we're so pleased to be working with.

“The event is a great opportunity to convene thought leaders in our innovation ecosystem and a place to start new conversations and explore new ideas.

“I’d also like to extend a huge thank you to our speakers and panellists from the evening, whose insights were immensely valuable.”

The Winners

Best KTP

Njord Offshore has been working with Dr Amit Singh and Dr Xiaojun Zhai, from Essex’s School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, to develop a first-of-its-kind turbine warning system which will significantly aid the offshore wind farm construction centre. The system includes data collection and an analytics function to provide accurate information which will drive increased efficiency, decarbonisation of operations and identification of continual improvement training needs.

Best Short Project

As part of an Innovate to Elevate project, Schools Out has worked with Dr Misagh Tasavori, from Essex Business School, to develop a business plan to help it become a Software as a Service (SaaS) provider. Becoming a SaaS provider would allow Schools Out to expand its commercial offering by allowing other organisations to use its online platform through a subscription scheme.

Best Third Sector Partnership

Pursuing Independent Paths is working with academics from the School of Health and Social Care and Essex Business School to develop a first-of-its-kind impact toolkit to demonstrate the societal and financial impact of the services provided by a specialist charity for adults with learning disabilities. This will help attract additional funding opportunities and offer the chance to expand services in London.

Rising Star

Manuel Verduzco Valenzuela has been working as a KTP associate for a project with MEL Aviation, aiming to design and incorporate machine learning and natural language processing capabilities into its administrative work. This is helping to automate a number of time-consuming tasks and improve workflows.

Academic of the Year

Professor Niraj Kumar, from Essex Business School, has worked on a number of successful KTPs, including with companies such as Finishing Line, Wealmoor Limited, Swann Engineering Group Limited, Mel Aviation, Gerald McDonald & Company Limited, and EPC Improvements.