PARTNER OF CHOICE Working together, we can take on tomorrow
Driving business through research
Developing your people
Delivering impact
CONTENTS 4
DRIVING OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY
Northumbria’s role in supporting regional recovery and growth
5 COLLABORATIVE NEWCASTLE The civic role of the University
6
DEVELOPING BUSINESS THROUGH RESEARCH
Professor George Marston on the role of research in business innovation and growth
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GROUNDBREAKING WORK RECOGNISED AT TECH SECTOR AWARDS Dynamites Awards success
8
BUSINESS COLLABORATION CASE STUDY: MYMO Northumbria’s partnership with a North East-based tech start-up
9 DRIVING TRANSFORMATION IN THE GLOBAL CONSTRUCTION MARKET IC3 consortium works to secure new investment and jobs
10 THE FUTURE OF WORK
Expert insight from the SWiFt (Sustainable Working Futures)
research group
11 THE ROAD TO RECOVERY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES Northumbria’s support for SMEs and micro-businesses
12 WHY BUSINESSES NEED TO UPSKILL AND RESKILL TO EMERGE STRONGER How to remain efficient, effective and competitive in a post-Covid world
13 DEMYSTIFYING DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS The benefits, practicalities and opportunities for employers
14 NEWS IN BRIEF
New partnerships, financial support projects and access to exceptional
student talent
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Northumbria challenges itself to combine academic excellence in research and teaching with accessibility and responsiveness, ready as the first port of call for a business with a problem to solve. Professor Andrew Wathey CBE, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Northumbria University
The past 12 months have undoubtedly been the most challenging on record for the global business community. The impact of Covid-19 has been felt around the world and organisations of all shapes and sizes, across all sectors, have had to respond, adapt and rise to the challenges they now face in order to survive. At Northumbria University we understand these challenges. Throughout this period, we have continued to work with businesses – helping them to build resilience, drive innovation, improve productivity, and pave the way for economic recovery and growth. For many organisations, the pandemic has brought about transformative change which will permanently alter ways of working and continue long into the future. Over the past decade we have undertaken a major programme of transformation to reposition Northumbria into the upper quartile of the UK sector by 2030, and just last year the University rose through the rankings into the top 30 of UK universities. We are firmly establishing ourselves as a researchrich, business-focused, professional university with a global reputation for academic excellence. Our focus on academic achievement, research quality and graduate employability is producing demonstrable progress and a clear impact on our relative standing. While Northumbria’s reach and reputation are on the rise, we remain committed to our role as an anchor institution, as a major employer and as a key partner in driving regional economic recovery. It has never been more important, given the enormous challenges created by Covid-19, that we work together to address need and maximise opportunities. Working closely with the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, Newcastle City Council, Newcastle University and other stakeholders, Northumbria is actively engaged in shaping ambitious renewal plans and supporting collective efforts to drive a more inclusive and sustainable economy. We know that the University’s investments in skills, innovation, enterprise, entrepreneurship and economic growth, and improving employment opportunities, are key to helping the North East build back better.
#TakeOnTomorrow
Our increasing investment in research will continue to be a driver of growth, helping to shape the region’s economic identity as it plots its path to recovery. For example, Northumbria is a key player in Newcastle’s digital economy – one of the fastest growing technology hubs in the UK - boasting a number of internationally leading experts in artificial intelligence, information architecture and human-digital design. This serves to emphasise the fact that world-class research can have a transforming local application; we are not pursuing research purely for its own sake, but for the local, national and global impact that research can and does have. Research is a key aspect of many of our collaborations with business, shaping new products, processes and services that drive growth and competitiveness. Northumbria has built a strong track record as the partner of choice for businesses across all sectors – from start-ups through to multinational corporations. Research-rich education also drives collaboration – supporting high-level skills development that places more students than any other university into professional employment in the North East. We work with businesses to support their skills and talent needs through degree apprenticeships and continuous workforce development. Our focus on enterprise and experiential learning is also recognised through our top 10 ranking in the UK for Student and Graduate Enterprise activity in six of the last 10 years. Northumbria challenges itself to combine academic excellence in research and teaching with accessibility and responsiveness, ready as the first port of call for a business with a problem to solve. We actively pursue and welcome new collaborations and have strong and established industry links regionally, nationally and globally. We are committed to sharing our research, knowledge and expertise in order to help businesses tackle real-world challenges, deliver demonstrable impact and, looking to the months ahead, emerge stronger from the Covid crisis. The pandemic has presented challenges on a global scale, but at the same time has made what universities can offer even more valuable, domestically and internationally. If your organisation is facing challenges or is ready to seize new opportunities and carve a new path, talk to Northumbria University: working together, we can take on tomorrow.
Professor Andrew Wathey CBE, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Northumbria University
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Universities have a vital role to play in helping the economy recover from the coronavirus pandemic. The North East Covid-19 Economic Response Group was established by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NELEP) at the beginning of the pandemic to provide business resilience and ensure a collective and co-ordinated response to the economic impact of Covid-19. Joining forces with NELEP, North East and North of Tyne Combined Authorities, the CBI on behalf of business organisations, and the North East Joint Transport Committee, Northumbria – alongside the North East’s four other universities – has played an active role in the Response Group, pledging support for a new economic recovery plan that will help stabilise, adapt and rebuild the North East economy. As an employer, innovator, collaborator and educator, Northumbria’s role in delivering economic recovery is significant and wide-ranging. Working with colleagues from across the North East’s universities, a number of shared objectives have been articulated, outlining how the universities will actively drive and support growth in the years ahead. The universities will support the region’s economic recovery by: 1. Supporting new and existing businesses to innovate and grow, shaping and supporting a more sustainable and inclusive economy. The Innovation Northumbria: Incubator case study featured on this page is just one example of the many ways in which Northumbria can provide specialist or multi-disciplinary support to help drive business innovation. The Small Business Leadership Programme (page 11) and the work of the Business Clinic (page 14) are two more examples of the University’s ongoing role in helping businesses large and small to recover and grow. 2. Identifying and meeting future skill needs – re-skilling and upskilling the workforce where required. From highly practical degree apprenticeships to customised CPD courses and training, Northumbria is adept at providing the skills and knowledge to give businesses and employees a competitive edge. On page 12, Joe Hedley, Assistant Director of Sales and Business Development at Northumbria, explores the importance of businesses upskilling and reskilling and how Northumbria can support organisations to do so, and Demystifying Degree Apprenticeships on page 13 outlines the business benefits of degree apprenticeships. 3. Connecting world-leading research and analytic capability to support scenario planning, problem solving and policy making. Working with leading researchers and scientists at Northumbria, businesses can co-create, investigate, test and validate new products, processes and services to tackle challenges, improve productivity and performance or drive innovation. Read more about the real-world impact of Northumbria’s research capabilities on page 6 and a business and successful research collaboration with tech start-up Mymo on page 8.
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4. Employing local people, supporting local supply chains, attracting and retaining talent and contributing to the vibrancy, culture and wider well-being of the region. Employing up to 3,000 people locally, Northumbria is committed to its role as an anchor institution and works closely with both the public and private sector to help to deliver the economic, social, cultural and environmental ambitions of Newcastle and the wider region. Driving transformation in the global construction market on page 12, describes just one initiative – the IC3 consortium – which brings together a cluster of expertise to build on sector strengths and secure sustainable new investment and jobs for the region. Helen Golightly, Chief Executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, (North East LEP), said: “Universities like Northumbria have a really important role to play in helping our region return to pre-coronavirus levels of economic growth. “They provide a highly skilled recruitment pipeline which will be essential for innovating businesses in our region. Delivering a workforce with the skills that industry needs is key to the success and recovery of our economy. “Knowledge exchange between academia and our region’s business community helps companies innovate and grow. High growth businesses are an essential part of a healthy economy; the expertise and knowledge at our universities can help us create more.” To find out more about the North East Covid-19 Economic Response Group, visit www.northeastlep.co.uk
NORTHUMBRIA START-UP STATS Sources: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) / University Higher Education Business in the Community Interaction Survey (HEBCIS) return to HESA 2018/19
THE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN RANKED TOP IN THE UK for Student and Graduate Enterprise activity in six of the past 10 years.
MORE THAN £84 MILLION of combined annual turnover for our active start-ups in 2018/19.
395 START-UPS created in the past 10 years.
OVER 1,000 JOBS created by start-ups currently trading.
Universities like Northumbria have a really important role to play in helping our region return to pre-coronavirus levels of economic growth Helen Golightly, Chief Executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, (North East LEP)
CASE STUDY Innovation Northumbria: Incubator The University works hard to inspire, develop and support a flourishing community of student and graduate entrepreneurs and start-ups, and provide opportunities for business partners to offer mentoring and financial backing. Opened in December 2019, the Innovation Northumbria: Incubator is a state-of the-art facility providing highquality support for student and graduate entrepreneurs. Situated next to the University’s main campus in Newcastle, the Incubator gives them the best possible opportunity to establish and grow thriving businesses. Ongoing work to support start-ups has continued apace despite the impact of the pandemic, with almost 20 start-ups now resident in the Incubator. The University has also established an Enterprise Club and has already signed up club members including Santander Universities, the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, Sir James Knott Trust and the Agile Business Consortium. These members are now offering pro-bono advice and expertise to graduate start-ups. An Enterprise Fund has also been established through which members can pledge financial support to help fledgling start-ups develop proof-of-concept and feasibility business plans. Innovative activity such as this reinforces Northumbria’s reputation as a university that champions enterprise and innovation. To find out more about the Innovation Northumbria: Incubator, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/incubatorlaunch
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NEWCASTLE Collaborative Newcastle is an innovative and ambitious new partnership (launched in December 2020) which aims to improve the health, wealth and wellbeing of everyone in Newcastle. The partnership is one of the first of its kind in the country and is underpinned by a ground-breaking legal agreement between key health and social care organisations, enabling accelerated progress towards a fully integrated health and social care system. Working towards the shared goal of improving health, wealth and wellbeing, a range of partners – including Northumbria University – have come together to support the partnership and help drive the sustainable growth and prosperity strand of the work. Professor Andrew Wathey CBE, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive at Northumbria University, believes the challenges facing our area as a result of Covid-19, make it more important than ever to work together to create a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient City, with health and social care at its heart. He explains: “The initiatives within this collaboration will directly support the vision for the future, and Northumbria will continue to play a leading role in its delivery – both through our world-class research into health and social care, and through the contribution we make as a university to our local communities and the regional economy.”
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Northumbria, like many universities, is recognised for its research capabilities – a key element in successful knowledge exchange and collaboration with the business community. The University’s focus is on delivering high quality research that leads to valuable outcomes and game-changing impact, helping to develop new products, processes and services that drive innovation and growth across many sectors and industries. Professor George Marston, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, explores the impact, value and benefits of Northumbria’s research and the University’s critical role in solving problems and helping businesses to maximise commercial opportunities…
ow does research have a tangible H impact on the world? Much of the world we see around us is built on research: the technology in our houses, on our desks and in our pockets; the materials we use and design to construct the world we live in; the vehicles we travel in; the healthcare we receive; the way that businesses operate to deliver goods and services. I could go on… and on. These examples are the ones that are obvious and visible, but it is clear that research is relevant to all sectors and businesses. Research is also key to understanding the world around us, and our impact on it. As an example, Northumbria’s ice-sheet modelling group is carrying out ground-breaking research on the impact of climate change on Antarctica – a continent thousands of miles away, but the research is vitally important for the world. In the current environment, we all understand that research into the spread of Covid-19 is of the utmost importance: Northumbria’s NU-OMICS facility has been carrying out research to understand the development of mutations to the virus since the beginning of the first lockdown. In summary, research has a massive impact on the world around us, and Northumbria is making a huge contribution. ow does research become H commercialised? Research commercialisation is a complicated process with a number of different routes. One route can be described as the push route, where a new invention (technology,
material, process, etc.) is developed into something that has a commercial market. An excellent example at Northumbria is the recent creation of a University spinout company, PulmoBioMed; established to exploit new breath sampling technology which enables non-invasive analysis for a range of health conditions including Covid-19. The company’s devices are currently being trialled in clinical centres across Europe. At other times, research uses existing technology in novel ways to create commercial impact. The University has done some great work with Home Group, a social enterprise and charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of high-quality housing and integrated housing, health and social care. Academics from Design, Nursing and Computer Science have collaborated to share their expertise with Home Group, developing solutions to support vulnerable individuals to live independently: fantastic work that was recognised at the 2020 Dynamites Awards. hy would a business engage with W Northumbria University on a research project? In recent years, Northumbria University has transformed its research in both volume and quality. We create knowledge through high-quality fundamental research, but – as illustrated above – this research has realworld applications relevant to a wide range of external stakeholders. Businesses often have to deal with what are sometimes called ‘wicked problems’ — multifaceted challenges with competing demands and gaps in knowledge.
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Much of the world we see around us is built on research Professor George Marston, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation
As part of our approach to tackling global challenges, which involve ‘wicked problems’, we have developed a number of multidisciplinary research themes in areas of strength that bring together expertise from a range of disciplines. The themes are: • Biodesign for the Bioeconomy • Energy Futures • Extreme Environments • Global Development Futures • Human and Digital Design • Integrated Health and Social Care Because of the multidisciplinary nature of these themes, they are ideally positioned to help tackle the biggest, most intractable problems. More generically, one of the ways in which Northumbria University can support businesses is through our Living Laboratory in the Business School. This unit uses a structured, research-based approach to analyse fundamental interactions between business stakeholders (management, employees, partners, customers, etc.) to create innovative solutions to these challenges. In a rapidly changing world, innovation is key to business prosperity, and indeed survival. The University is a growing force in the world of research and can use its research power to support business innovation regionally, nationally and globally. So come and work with us! For more information about collaborating on a research project, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/business
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GROUNDBREAKING WORK RECOGNISED AT TECH SECTOR AWARDS A number of pioneering technology projects, led by Northumbria University, won awards at a high-profile event showcasing the best of the North East’s tech talent. The annual Dynamites Awards celebrate success in the tech sector and showcase innovative and creative projects and teams – from start-up companies to multinational corporates from across the public and private sector. One Northumbrialed project to receive a special commendation at the Dynamites Awards 2020 was designed to help vulnerable adults live more independent lives. Experts at Northumbria worked in partnership with Home Group on a project using technology-enabled homes to promote independent living. It was highly commended in the Project of the Year category (public sector/academic). The project, which looked to assist older people, those with mental health needs, and people with learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorder, drew upon multidisciplinary expertise from academics in health, design and computer science. Ana-Maria Salai, Senior Research Assistant from Northumbria’s Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, constructed technology prototypes and carried out the user studies. By using a real house as the setting, Ana-Maria and the team were able to develop a much deeper understanding of the challenges of current smart home technology. The frequent and direct interaction with real customers and communities ensured that the results were adapted for their specific needs. Glenda Cook, Professor of Nursing, who led the project from a health care perspective, said: “Incredible social impact can be achieved through use of digital technologies that are becoming widely available to everyone and can support
independence and improve quality of life. We wanted the project to be very research-focussed and worked closely with our partners to ensure maximum impact.” The results have been used to support Home Group’s development of future smart home technology for care and independent living and will also be analysed and shared with the world-wide scientific communities in care tech and smart home research. Professor Lars Erik Holmquist, from the School of Design, who led the research project from a technical perspective said: “It has been great to work on a real-world problem – developing technology that could make a vital difference in helping people to live more independently in their own homes. “To be recognised by our peers in the tech sector is a great endorsement for the project, which was all the more successful as a result of working with Home Group. Now we’re excited to see some of the ideas taken further and implemented in actual homes in the North East.” Other success stories from the 2020 Dynamites Awards included Dr Biju Issac, Associate Professor and Programme Leader of Network, Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics, winning the Innovator of the Year category, while the University also secured the coveted People’s Choice Award at the event, voted for by the region’s tech community. If you are a business looking to develop new technology and would like to work with our academics please visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/business to find out more.
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BUSINESS COLLABORATION: MYMO Craig Downs is CEO of a North East-based tech start-up which has recently launched its newly developed product mymo. Tell us about your business I set up mymo in 2016 having spotted a gap in the market. I’m a keen runner and after poor in-store sales advice, I ended up getting injured from wearing the wrong type of trainers. We’ve developed an innovative new product which uses the latest in digital technology to help people buy the correct type of running shoes. It’s an easy-to-use piece of wearable tech. A sensor, that is worn in a sock, measures your running gait and uses artificial intelligence (AI) to match your running style to shoes on the market – sharing the unbiased, data-driven information via an app. ow have you worked with Northumbria University H to date? Working with technology experts at Northumbria University, we have developed the AI algorithm, which converts the raw data from the sensors and matches your running gait to a database of all available running shoes – identifying those that are suitable for your personal running style. We also worked with Northumbria to explore potential wider uses and benefits of our product as part of an initial study into the relationship between gait and ageing diseases. hat are the key things you’ve gained from this W collaboration? As a commercial organisation, it was important for us to be able to collaborate with academics. We knew that to take our product to market we’d need to prove unequivocally that it works. Our collaboration with leading AI experts at Northumbria has enabled us to do just that. The current AI algorithm is performing at 96.4% accuracy for shoe recommendations and the University’s research team has published an academic paper on its methodology and approach, outlining the development, testing and implementation of the algorithm. This gives us, and our future customers, investors, suppliers and partners, confidence in the product and a level of credibility that we couldn’t have achieved on our own. Another benefit has been the ability to access such a wealth of expertise and knowledge. We have been able to engage with academics, professionals and business leaders, to discuss innovation, creativity and delivery. We have also been able to apply for, and access, additional funding, which we don’t think would have been possible without the University’s involvement and support. Would you work with Northumbria University again? Absolutely, in fact, our collaboration continues. As part of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Intensive
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Industrial Innovation Programme (IIIP), we have recruited a PhD student for the next three years who will be responsible for further developing the existing algorithm, as we look to expand into other sports and healthcare markets. We are also exploring other development opportunities with Northumbria’s Computing and Information Sciences department. hat would you say to another business that needs help to grow W or transform? I would encourage any business to be open-minded about where they might access support and expertise to help them develop. We’ve discovered that universities like Northumbria are home to huge amounts of research, knowledge and expertise that they’re keen to share. When we first started out, our perception was that universities would only collaborate with large, well-established organisations. But Northumbria University is just as open and committed to working with SMEs and start-ups like our own. To find out more about how Northumbria University could help your business, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/business
Purposeful Health Growth Accelerator mymo is one of the first eight businesses in the North East to have a project approved as part of a major new initiative to help businesses grow or expand in the health, wellness and social care delivery sectors. Together with regional fund management firm NEL Fund Managers, Northumbria University has set up the Purposeful Health Growth Accelerator – which can offer practical support, research expertise, advice and growth capital investment, worth more than £1m in total, to up to 200 North East companies. To qualify for the free, year-long pilot programme, businesses have to be working within the health, wellness and/or social care sectors or looking to expand their existing operations in that direction. It is hoped that the Accelerator will build on the product, process and service innovations implemented by many regional firms in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as looking at wider commercial opportunities. Working with the Purposeful Health Growth Accelerator, mymo’s innovation goal is to extend its existing platform – adding extra sensor capabilities which will allow for additional healthcare applications. The team is keen to share the product with a range of clinicians, such as physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals, and to gather data in clinical populations, such as Parkinson’s disease patients, in order to explore and inform future developments for the gait analysis healthcare market. For more information, visit www.purposefulhealth.co.uk
DRIVING TRANSFORMATION IN THE GLOBAL CONSTRUCTION MARKET Together with industry and wider partners across the region, Northumbria has played a key role in a consortium of organisations driving forward transformation in the global construction market. As part of this work, the University has led the development of a project bid to secure up to £50m to create an International Centre for Connected Construction, known as IC3. The IC3 consortium brings together industry, academia and the public sector across the North East’s globally renowned cluster of experts in digital construction. Involving both Northumbria and Newcastle Universities, the consortium comprises industry representatives including NBS, Ryder Architecture, Arup, Cundall, and Space Group, as well as Dynamo North East, the region’s digital network. It has also received significant support from public sector organisations, including the North East Local Enterprise Partnership. The tripartite nature of the consortium - bringing together higher education, public sector and industry - differentiates it from other initiatives. IC3 will enable the construction sector to ‘build better and build smarter’ by championing the use of digital technologies to drive productivity, improve safety and provide value over the longer term. This collaboration will
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co-create, test, demonstrate and bring to market innovative digital solutions for the construction sector, further boosting the region’s expertise, talent and reputation and unlocking new global markets for the region and wider UK. Rob Charlton, CEO of Space Group and co-founder of BIM Show Live, the original show dedicated to Building Information Modelling launched in Newcastle, said: “The North East has, for a long time, punched way above its weight when it comes to the impact on the global construction market. “The close proximity of key industry players has driven a unique ecosystem here where even the biggest competitors come together to make positive changes. But we’re at a critical stage where other destinations are catching up, and we need a mechanism to support and boost what we have already created. “IC3 is the perfect vehicle for that, and now, as the industry looks to build back better post-Covid-19, is the perfect time.” Professor Andrew Wathey CBE, ViceChancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University said: “The scale of activity planned by IC3 will place the region at the forefront of excellence for
digital construction with global impact. “We are delighted to play a leading role in this consortium, which brings together some of the region’s foremost organisations. IC3 will use innovation, research and development to open up global market opportunities and ultimately bring jobs and investment to the North East. “This is particularly important as we move into regeneration following the Covid-19 pandemic, and IC3’s success here demonstrates the important role our region has to play in the national and global recovery.” The full IC3 bid was submitted to the Strength in Places Fund (SIPF) in November. The Fund invests in research and innovation projects that aim to drive economic growth in specific areas of the UK. SIPF projects build on existing research excellence and supply chains and must demonstrate that they will drive significant economic impact. IC3 was one of just 17 projects awarded seed corn funding by SIPF, enabling the project team to develop the bid to secure a full award of up to £50 million in the second wave of funding, the results of which are due to be announced later this year. For more information about IC3, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/ic3
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THE FUTURE OF WORK The global pandemic has transformed the world of work across all sectors and will have long term implications for organisations and workforces worldwide. Associate Professor Valerie Egdell, Professor John Blenkinsopp and Professor Ian Fitzgerald – who are all members of the Sustainable Working Futures (SWiFt) research group and academics from Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University – share their insights about the impact of Covid-19 and how it might shape the future of work for us all.
Valerie Egdell, Associate Professor of Work and Employment “When the SWiFt research group first formed in 2019 we had extensive discussions about the social, demographic, economic, technological and political trends which were transforming the nature and meaning of work. None of us predicted that the immediate future of work might be most radically shaped by a global pandemic. “There are many things that we do not know about how the Covid-19 crisis will permanently affect the future of work. What is immediately clear however is that the economic downturn precipitated by the crisis is likely to be on a scale not seen for almost 40 years. It is leading to mass unemployment, particularly amongst young people, that will have a ‘scarring’ effect on future employment and wellbeing. “Young people are doubly disadvantaged, as the crisis has disproportionately hit those sectors which provide many of the entry levels jobs. And for businesses, this will create problems when the economy starts to recover. Unemployment both prevents people from gaining new skills, and diminishes the skills they already have, leaving businesses facing the apparent paradox of skills shortages amidst very high unemployment. “But it is not only younger workers bearing the brunt of this downturn. Many older workers have lost their jobs, putting them at risk of long-term unemployment. Others have been placed on furlough or seen hours/pay reductions. For businesses, this will lead to a loss of valuable skills and experience.”
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Ian Fitzgerald, Professor of Employment Relations
“A recent YouGov poll suggests 40% of workers who had never worked from home before want to continue to do so for some or all of the time once the pandemic is over. Add to this those workers who already worked from home some of the time, and the impact of employers discovering home working can work well for some aspects of their business, we are likely to see a sharp increase in working from home in 2021 relative to 2019. “Changes to the way we work might also make work more accessible to people with disabilities, working carers and mothers for example. But businesses need to be mindful that the benefits of home working can bypass those in certain roles and that there can be adverse effects if the blurring of home and work leads to overworking. Businesses need to make sure that home working remains a choice, attend to workforce health and wellbeing, sustain inclusion and ensure that existing workplace inequalities are not exacerbated. “Perhaps most significantly, the pandemic has challenged assumptions about the meaning and value of work. Many people in jobs not high in prestige or social recognition were designated ‘key workers’ and faced unreasonable situations. Others were shocked to realise their jobs were non-essential. SWiFt members have been researching the idea of meaningful work for some time, and this work will continue in the years ahead.”
John Blenkinsopp, Professor of Work & Organisational Psychology “Almost overnight, the shift to home working in the first lockdown changed where and how many of us worked, revealing stark labour market inequalities in terms of who was able or unable to do so. While some workers smoothly transitioned to home working, others did not. Some have felt overwhelmed and overworked. Many, especially mothers, faced increased domestic demands. “There are concerns that those who struggled to maintain pre-crisis working patterns and productivity, due to reasons completely out of their control, may be penalised in future pay and promotion decisions, with grave consequences for diversity. Pre-emptive and forward-looking employer policy will be crucial.
“There is undoubtedly a risk that the crisis has reversed some of the progress made towards workplace equality, diversity and inclusion. However, it does also offer up opportunities for businesses to reimagine how we work - specifically in ways that promote health and wellbeing. The ‘experiment’ in home working triggered by lockdown seems likely to produce a permanent shift in attitudes.”
THE ROAD TO RECOVERY FOR SMES More than 150 small businesses affected by Covid-19 have accessed support through a multimillion-pound, government-funded partnership with Northumbria University. Working with the Small Business Charter, Northumbria is delivering a specialised programme for leaders of SMEs across the North East and North West, designed specifically to help them survive the impact of the pandemic, build resilience and drive growth. The Small Business Leadership Programme is a fullyfunded, 10-week training programme covering a range of practical topics delivered online by small business experts, including entrepreneurs, business leaders and academics from Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University. More than 90% of participants who have completed the programme said that it had helped them to respond to the immediate impact of Covid-19, develop strategic leadership skills, and plan for future growth. Find out more about how Northumbria University could help your organisation, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/ business
Regretfully I didn’t study beyond my first degree and this has felt a little like a stealth or micro-MBA; it has been really challenging, and also a lot of fun. David Lovenbury, Commercial Director at JUMP – a Newcastle-based brand and creative agency
It’s given me the right tools and a structured plan to help us recover from Covid-19. We’ll be continuing to take forward these new models and ways of working as they’re undoubtedly making our business stronger. Donna Wilson, Commercial Manager at TaperedPlus – a Stockton-based manufacturing business
I can’t speak highly enough about what the Programme can do for a business, whether they are struggling or successful – it is full of tools to help. This programme offers invaluable support by bringing together the knowledge from universities and experience from business owners who are specialists in their field. Justin Turner, Entrepreneur, Director of digital accountancy firm Orange Umbrella
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STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP SUPPORTS PANDEMIC-HIT BUSINESSES A new strategic partnership with the business-led, Open North Foundation, has provided pandemic-hit businesses with access to valuable financial support. Under the agreement, Open North Foundation received a £10,000 donation from Northumbria, which is being used to fund grants for small businesses. In addition to the grant, these businesses have also been offered access to a range of resources, expertise and free consultancy services from the University, including places on the Small Business Leadership Programme. It is the largest support package Open North Foundation has received since its launch in July 2020. The not for profit Foundation was set up in response to the devastating impact Covid-19 was having on small to medium sized businesses in the North East, many of whom do not qualify for direct government grants. Richard Swart, Chair of Open North Foundation, believes Northumbria has an enviable reputation as a national and international provider of business support, explaining: “When the pandemic struck, the University was acutely aware of the impact this would have on local businesses and like so many organisations in our great region, wanted to help. It has done so in the most generous of ways, with the single largest support package we have received. “We are also entering a wider strategic partnership with the University, driven by the fact we both respect and embrace each other’s visions, roles, achievements and ambitions to help strengthen the North East business community, particularly in these challenging times.” For more information, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/sblp
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WHY BUSINESSES NEED TO UPSKILL AND RESKILL TO EMERGE STRONGER Throughout the past year, businesses and their employees have had to continuously adjust and adapt. Some organisations have needed to pivot or drastically re-think business plans and many companies, large and small, now need to ‘do more with less’. Whether that’s as a result of a reduced workforce, a strain on finances or a more challenging operating environment, there are few who can say it’s ‘business as usual’. Joe Hedley, Assistant Director of Sales and Business Development at Northumbria University, explains the growing need to upskill and reskill employees to ensure that businesses remain efficient, effective and competitive in a post-Covid world.
ow has Covid-19 affected businesses’ H skills, capacity and ability to deliver? Since the start of the pandemic, our ability to make choices has diminished. Many businesses have been unable to recruit at a time when they arguably most need new skills to survive and adapt. Undoubtedly, employees with a diverse skillset are more valuable right now. In many cases, those in senior positions are being called upon to do more as a result of changing demands, increased business pressures or lower-level roles having been furloughed. However, these additional responsibilities don’t always come with the necessary training and support. Conversely, some businesses are overwhelmed with new and growing opportunities as a result of the pandemic but are similarly struggling to support employees as they try to adapt and cope. No matter what the challenges or opportunities, Covid-19 forced most companies to change the way they work almost overnight. Consequently, employees now need new or different skills in order to deliver effectively in the long term. hat’s the difference between W reskilling and upskilling? To reskill is to retrain someone in a completely new skillset in order to deliver a different role, whereas upskilling involves learning additional skills to improve an existing skillset. hy is it so important to upskill W and reskill staff right now? History tells us that in times of crises, successful businesses use recovery as an opportunity to learn and innovate; to reevaluate what customers want and how to provide it; and to make critical changes to
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how they are organised and work. These companies reportedly outgrow their peers nearly fourfold. Driving forward in this way means businesses become purpose-built for the new future. As a result of the digital revolution, and long before the pandemic, it was estimated that 7 out of 10 workers across all sectors needed to upskill their digital capabilities. With the arrival and subsequent challenges of Covid-19, the influence of digital technologies has been dramatically accelerated – compounding the need for new and improved digital skills in every area of the economy. The full social and economic impacts of Covid (after all, it is not over yet!) are still very much unknown. New problems and new opportunities are yet to be presented and therefore the need for us to adapt, improve and change our skillsets – and retrain where necessary – will become part of the ‘new normal’ for businesses and individuals alike. How can Universities help? Drawing on research-rich education, universities like Northumbria can provide a tailored approach to equipping organisations large and small, across all sectors, with the right skills. From degree apprenticeships and continuous professional development, to new product development partnerships and bespoke collaborations, the University can help businesses understand and solve their evolving skills needs (and gaps) so that they’re able to successfully deliver new business models in a post-Covid world. To find out more about how Northumbria University could help your organisation, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/business
DEMYSTIFYING DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS Degree apprenticeships can offer the best of both worlds for employers and employees looking to upskill – combining university study and practical workplace learning. Despite the huge success of degree apprenticeships, many companies don’t consider whether they are the right option for their business and workforce because they just don’t know enough about the practicalities involved or the benefits apprenticeships can offer. In addition, there remain many outdated misconceptions associated with apprenticeships, including the potential costs, which businesses can find off-putting. Here are some of the key facts and benefits for employers explained, and the opportunities available for businesses to partner with Northumbria…
THE PRACTICALITIES Degree apprenticeships… •p rovide employees with practical and relevant skills and knowledge that can be applied immediately in the workplace. • involve part-time study, alongside continued work within the business. •d evelop core skills such as project management, problem solving and leadership, as well as more specific, subject-related technical skills. •a re suitable for all sizes of organisations, from small businesses to multinational corporations.
THE BENEFITS Degree apprenticeships… •e nhance existing employees’ knowledge and skills so they can progress to more senior roles – improving staff retention rates and avoiding unnecessary recruitment. •h elp attract new talent; ambitious people want to work for organisations that invest in their employees’ skills. •p rovide learning which is based on work-related situations, so employees will be contributing to an organisation’s performance even when they’re at university. •k eep employees motivated and committed for the long-term, by helping them develop skills over several years. •d eliver well-trained, highly skilled employees who add value – both directly and through their ability to coach, mentor and train other team members.
THE COSTS Degree apprenticeships… •a re affordable because they’re funded by your apprenticeship levy account if you have an annual pay bill of £3m+ or heavily subsidised (up to 95% of the cost) by the Government if your annual pay bill is less than £3m. •a re an inexpensive way to attract and retain talented employees, develop your workforce, fill skills gaps and improve your company’s performance.
DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES AT NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY •N orthumbria University is a leading degree apprenticeship training provider and was one of the first UK universities to offer governmentsupported degree apprenticeships. •T he University offers 24 different degree apprenticeships across diverse sectors, from architecture, construction and engineering to digital, tech and creative, with a range of new apprenticeships being added to the portfolio in 2021. •N orthumbria University delivers degree apprenticeship courses for more than one in ten of the organisations recently ranked in a new national league table for top apprenticeship employers. •N orthumbria’s degree apprentices themselves have ranged from
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new starters through to senior managers and long-serving staff and professionals who are looking for a change in career. • The Leadership and Management degree apprenticeships offered at Northumbria are delivered by our award-winning business school and cover many different sectors. •N orthumbria has strong relationships with business and industry and can develop tailored degree apprenticeships that directly meet the needs of a business, sector or workforce. For more information, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/ degreeapprenticeships
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NEWS IN BRIEF STUDENTS SHAPE PLANS FOR GROUNDBREAKING EXPO Three groups of students from Northumbria’s Advanced Practice programme are working as part of a team developing plans for the Sunderland Future Living Expo, a three-year programme of events to inform how new homes will be built at Riverside Sunderland.
The Master’s students are engaged in 12-week long projects focused on the Riverside Sunderland Masterplan and the core Expo themes Advanced, Green and Smart. They will work on plans for a prototype house - a demonstrator project for innovative low carbon homes - and explore how education and industry can come together to ensure that Sunderland has the skills it needs to build homes of the future using modern methods of construction. Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “Collaborating with the university students will ensure that Riverside Sunderland is shaped and developed using the latest thinking and technologies to create a world-class place to live, work and play, and by gaining support with events like Expo, and indeed, other aspects of our Riverside Sunderland Masterplan, we will achieve so much more.” This cohort of students are studying for Master’s degrees in subjects such as engineering, construction, energy and project management and are working alongside a world-class team of architects, regeneration specialists, education providers and industry experts. The Advanced Practice Programme allows Master’s students in certain subjects to extend their studies to include either an internship, or an applied group consultancy project. Delivered remotely, Advanced Practice Programme projects require minimal input from businesses and participation is free to local organisations. For further details please get in touch with Anne Macdonald, Advanced Practice Manager: anne.m.macdonald@northumbria.ac.uk
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STUDENTS SUPPORT BUSINESS RECOVERY IN CUMBRIA Cumbria was hit hard by flooding in 2009 and in 2015, leaving many businesses and organisations struggling to survive. A group of Master’s students from the Business Clinic at Northumbria’s Newcastle Business School used the experience and learnings of the devastating floods to help businesses in the region start to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. The Business Clinic provides free consultancy advice to SMEs, multi-nationals and not-for-profit organisations who are looking to grow by taking their business in a new direction or explore new challenges and would benefit from ‘fresh eyes’ to help them succeed. With support and guidance from experts within Northumbria’s Newcastle Business School, undergraduate and postgraduate business students work together in small groups, acting as ‘consultancy firms’ to provide research, advice and recommendations for clients to consider. Dr Les Tickner, Associate Lecturer at Northumbria and former Flood Recovery Manager for Cockermouth, and one of the academics supervising the students working on the Cumbria project, explained: “The work our students have undertaken for this project has shown how the lessons learned from Cumbria’s floods are directly transferrable to today’s pandemic, and how they can be used by businesses to recover and re-grow their operations. “The students’ work included interviews with a wide range of businesses to understand the challenges they faced. They found that a lack of cash flow, loss of customers and a fear of permanent closure were recurrent issues raised. They also discovered that the businesses suffering most were often the least digitalised, all of which informed a range of strategic and practical recommendations outlined in a final report.” To find out more about the Business Clinic, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/businessclinic
BUSINESS DEGREES FOR RUGBY STARS FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND EXPERT ADVICE FOR SMES As well as achieving a First-Class Honours, professional rugby union player Anthony Watson also received the Pro Vice-Chancellor Award for Excellent Performance. He joins fellow England rugby internationals Owen Farrell and Mako Vunipola to graduate from Northumbria in recent years. The BA (Hons) Leadership and Management (BALM) degree from Northumbria’s Newcastle Business School has been designed in partnership with the Rugby Players’ Association (RPA). The qualification matches a professional rugby player’s needs and provides the flexibility to study around their sporting career, offering them a future in the world of business when they retire. Newcastle Business School has similar partnerships with other sporting bodies including the European office of the Basketball World Governing body (FIBA Europe) to help professional basketball players build careers beyond their playing days. Professor John Wilson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Business and Law at Northumbria, said: “Despite the challenges of Covid-19 this has been quite a year for Anthony, as part of the England team that won the Six Nations and now gaining a first class degree. Our partnership with the RPA is hugely successful, helping professional rugby players gain a valuable academic qualification to help them achieve their future goals.” For more information on Northumbria’s business degrees, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/nbs
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Funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Northumbria has launched a project that offers a package of financial support and expert advice to SMEs and graduate start-ups. Northumbria Enterprise and Business Support 2 (NEBS2) also includes a financial contribution to help small businesses employ up to two graduates, typically on 6-month internship programmes. With ERDF funding, the project will run until June 2023 and is available to businesses in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland. The aim is to provide a coherent package of services to enhance the competitiveness and growth of SMEs, and to support the creation of new graduate enterprises. Businesses who are looking at ways to respond more effectively to the challenges of Covid-19, or recruit highly talented student interns, are encouraged to apply. Want to know more? Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/nebs
SHOWCASING THE IMPACT OF ARTS AND CULTURE Northumbria will play a key role in a new National Centre designed to support knowledge exchange between higher education institutions and the UK’s arts and culture sector. The University was named as a regional hub for the new National Centre for Academic and Cultural Exchange (NCACE) – a £1.1m project established by The Culture Capital Exchange (TCCE) and funded by Research England. Over the next four years the new centre will focus on evidencing and showcasing the social, cultural, environmental, and economic impact of knowledge exchange within the arts and cultural sector. Northumbria was specifically invited to take part due to its reputation for developing cultural partnerships, bringing together artists, practitioners, students, and academics to generate new ways of thinking and creative practice. For more information about the National Centre for Academic and Cultural Exchange, visit www.theculturecapitalexchange.co.uk
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IS YOUR BUSINESS READY TO TAKE ON TOMORROW? The world is changing faster than ever before. The future is there to be won by organisations who find ways to turn today’s possibilities into tomorrow’s competitive edge. In a connected world, collaboration can be the key to success. Find out more about how we can work together to identify, explore and develop new business opportunities. www.northumbria.ac.uk/business