Business Case Studies

Additional Restrictions Grant supports Finger Shark to reach new customers

Finger Shark is a Northampton-based SME that provides a writing and typing stabiliser for both adults and children. The Finger Shark was designed and produced by Chantel Walton, a mum of two children who both have hypermobility. After experiencing first-hand the struggles her two children were dealing with, Chantel decided to create a product to support them in their everyday life. Chantel wanted support to bring the Finger Shark to market as she believes passionately in aiding children and adults to carry out everyday tasks and writing without experiencing pain.

Whilst Chantel’s other passions, running a pre-school gymnastics group and being a volunteer football coach for Blisworth’s mixed under-9s, were affected by the Covid-19 outbreak, she took the opportunity to form Finger Shark during the lockdown period.

Creating a business during a worldwide pandemic had its difficulties; due to physical lockdowns and social restrictions, Chantel struggled to get the Finger Shark in front of her target markets. Chantel received support for the Finger Shark in the form of the Additional Restrictions Grant, funded through West Northamptonshire Council and administered by the University of Northampton.

Receiving the grant had an invaluable impact on the business, Chantel was able to maintain a website to get the Finger Shark in front of a wider market and create more products to fulfil an increasing number of orders. Unlike some Covid-19 Grant processes, Chantel said the application process for the Additional Restrictions Grant “was straightforward and easy to understand”. Her adviser at the University of Northampton supported her through the process and she was delighted to learn that her application had been successful.

Having already expanded the product provision of the Finger Shark to two sizes, for children and adults, Chantel now aims to expand further. She has plans to work with retailers to offer the Finger Shark in stores, as well as making it a product that can be provided through NHS Occupational Therapy teams. The next step Chantel will be taking towards expanding is the creation of the Finger Shark plastic moulding machine.

Helen Miller, Head of Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise at the University of Northampton, says:

“We are delighted to have been able to support Chantel during what has been an extremely challenging time for anyone wanting to start or grow their business. It is very rewarding to see how the funding has enabled such an innovative product to reach a wider audience. We wish Chantel every success and look forward to supporting her further as her business grows.”

• Business Representative: Alex Brazill, Account Manager focusing on Higher Education

Tell us about your partnership with UON

Having visited the University of Northampton on several occasions and collaborating on various projects, I am continually impressed by the institution’s dedication to enhancing student experiences through partnerships. As an account manager focusing on higher education, I am always impressed by the university’s proactive approach to preparing students for the workforce.

Our partnership means students are encouraged and actively sought after for internships and careers at HP. Diversity in employment enriches our work sessions and benefits the company. Reflecting on my interactions with Northampton students, I’m inspired by their eagerness to offer fresh perspectives on finding work – UON’s students are perfect for helping broaden our workforce with innovative minds. In 2024, we’re planning a webinar hosted on the university intranet by HP’s talent acquisition team, packed with tips for standing out when applying for an internship at HP.

How did you find the UON Careers Expo?

My colleague and I had a great time. We engaged with numerous students who provided insights into the entry process for companies like HP. This event created conversations that demystified career pathways and showcased diverse opportunities that suit students from various courses. The overwhelming response, marked by the longest lines of eager students, highlighted the day’s success and the strong interest in our company.

Tell us about your recent Mentorship Session

Recently, we collaborated with Funmi to deliver a three-hour session where students could ask a panel of industry speakers and alumni about our experiences in the tech sector. The students not only asked questions for the entire three hours, but the session overran due to their enthusiasm. This event provided mentorship and forged lasting connections between students and alumni. I am now connected with many of them via LinkedIn and am available to answer any questions they have in the future. Students’ enthusiasm and proactive engagement highlight the importance of these partnerships.

Any future plans?

We’ve had several productive meetings with Funmi, including a visit to London to talk with our HP Chief Engineer and some of her peers. These discussions focused on the future of technology and how it could be integrated into the curriculum UON is developing.

Would you encourage other businesses to work with UON?

I am inspired by our partnership with the University of Northampton. The university’s dedication to preparing students for the workforce and its proactive engagement in partnerships with industry leaders like HP sets a high standard. I highly recommend other businesses to engage with UON to experience the positive impact these collaborations can have on students and their businesses.

Contact us today to find out more about how UON can support your business.

• Project: Strategic Issues in Logistics
• Name: Edward Pigott, Associate Planning Director
• Business: Newlands Developments
• Associated UON Programme / Subject Area / Faculty: Logistics and Supply Chain Management MSc

Newlands Developments has fostered a strategic partnership with the University of Northampton and is involved with both the Northamptonshire Logistics Forum (hosted by UON) and in creating a second-year module for students studying the Logistics and Supply Chain Management MSc. These collaborations aim to:

1. Elevate the logistics sector’s prominence in Northamptonshire, which is centrally located in the pivotal Golden Triangle. The logistics sector has grown by 26% over the last ten years, compared to 14% across the broader economy, highlighting its importance of growth and productivity.
2. Ensuring that local and regional decision-makers understand the needs and benefits of the logistics sector to facilitate adequate future supply planning.
3. Share Newlands’ wealth of knowledge and experience to address the need for skilled professionals in logistics, a sector where wages are, on average, £4,900 higher than the national average. By integrating industry expertise into academia, Newlands and UON are committed to enriching the educational landscape, ensuring students have a real-world understanding of their subject.

Newlands looks forward to expanding its relationship with UON to champion the sector and maximise its benefits.

What were the outcomes for the business and students?

By helping create the “Strategic Issues in Logistics” module, Newlands provided a real-world case study and set a brief for students to study and interrogate. Newlands then acted as the ‘client,’ giving students experience in providing strategic advice and presentations.

Newlands utilised the innovative ideas delivered by the students, who approached the situation from new and exciting angles. Students gained real-life experience in how a company approaches projects and exposure to the sector. The module consisted of several briefing sessions where students liaised with Newlands, culminating in a presentation where Newlands provided critical feedback and advice.

What impact did our students have?

The students from UON made a significant impact, bringing a diverse array of backgrounds, skill sets, and perspectives. Their fresh and multifaceted approach led to insightful and innovative solutions tailored to the unique brief provided by Newlands. Their varied academic disciplines and personal experiences allowed them to tackle the challenges presented in the brief with creativity and depth. The result was a set of proposals that creatively answered the brief and set a precedent for future collaborations, showcasing the value of integrating industry experience into academic study. This has helped Newlands to embed the presented ideas and perspectives into other projects.

Are there future plans to continue working with UON, and if so, what?

Newlands looks forward to continuing its collaboration with UON as more students choose to study courses focused on the logistics sector. Newlands is keen to ensure a pipeline of talent for the sector, especially as UON is linking with other educational institutions to highlight the benefits of this career. Newlands is also keen to continue promoting the sector and its benefits via academic courses and the Northamptonshire Logistics Forum.

The collaboration between Newlands Developments and UON exemplifies the benefits of industry-academia partnerships. It provides students with invaluable experiential learning opportunities and supports Newlands in its quest for innovation and talent acquisition.

To find out more about working with our esteemed academics, contact the Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise team.

Hear from our Academics about Scottish Leather Group and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

Hear from our academics supporting the Scottish Leather Group, one of the world’s finest sustainable leather groups, about their Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) experience and the benefits of pursuing a KTP.

Additional Restrictions Grant enables Spokes Education to develop its offer

Spokes Education is a Northampton – based digital learning agency. They work with a wide range of organisations around the world providing a variety of services from learning design, creative design, and animation/film, to training and development, consultancy, and administrative services.

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Spokes Education experienced a number of projects being delayed or cancelled, including a film project that would have enabled a move into a new service area. However, they were also able to secure new business which minimised the impact of the pandemic.

Regional Business Engagement Officer, Adam Lawton said:

“Phil at Spokes education is a pleasure to work with, so organised and quick to respond. It makes the process very simple. It was great to work with Phil on this project. The new equipment will enable Spokes Education to diversify and grow in their market.”

Spokes Education aim to continue expanding and undertake more film work now that they have the equipment and experience to do so.

REACH for Health is an incredible charity that UON has been proud to partner with over the past 6 years. From research projects to student placements, they’ve even hired our graduates! We’re excited to continue supporting REACH for Health as they work towards their next goal.

• Project: Application of Traditional Leather-Making Processes to Bio-Engineered Dermal Tissues
• University of Northampton Faculty: Institute for Creative Leather Technologies (ICLT)

3D Bio-Tissues Ltd (3DBT), an innovative biotech company, sought to revolutionize the leather industry with an alternative to traditional animal hides—bio-engineered dermal tissue, also known as 3DBT Skin. With a focus on sustainability and ethical production, 3DBT turned to the University of Northampton’s Institute for Creative Leather Technologies (ICLT) to help explore the potential of this new material.

Through an Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (AKT) funded by Innovate UK, 3DBT and ICLT embarked on a transformative project to integrate 3DBT Skin into traditional leather-making processes. The collaboration aimed to test whether conventional leather processes such as tanning, post-tanning, dyeing, and finishing could be applied to 3DBT Skin, simulating the production of high-quality leather goods without relying on animal hides.

Key Outcomes

• Feasibility Proven: The project successfully demonstrated that 3DBT Skin could undergo traditional leather processing methods, including tanning and dyeing, proving its viability as a leather alternative.
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Together, 3DBT and ICLT developed detailed SOPs to ensure the consistent production of 3DBT-based leather products.
• Industry Exposure: Samples were showcased at prestigious industry events like the Future Fabrics Expo 2024, garnering attention for their innovation in the sustainable materials space.

Impact on 3DBT

The collaboration with the University of Northampton provided critical proof of concept for 3DBT Skin’s potential in leather production. With the expertise and guidance of ICLT, 3DBT was able to accelerate the development of this new material, significantly enhancing its commercialization strategy via the creation of new company Lab-Grown Leather Ltd (LGL) which is now working with 3 of the top 5 luxury fashion brands.

Future Plans

Following the success of this project, 3DBT’s sister company LGL plans to continue collaborating with ICLT to refine the processes for its lead product Elemental Leather ™, with a focus on tailoring the material for specific high-end leather goods. The partnership holds great promise for the future of sustainable, ethical leather production.

Why Collaborate with the University of Northampton?

By partnering with the University of Northampton, 3DBT has been able to blend cutting-edge biotechnological advancements with the century-old tradition of leather production. Through AKTs, the University offers a unique opportunity for businesses to innovate, access expertise, and create high-impact solutions. If you are looking to explore new technologies or refine your production processes, an AKT could be the perfect solution.

Contact us today to learn more about how an Accelerated Knowledge Transfer can help your business innovate and grow!

For more details, visit UON KTP Programme.

VR Therapies is a social enterprise dedicated to improving health and well-being through immersive virtual realities and gamified therapies. By working with our academics and students, UON has been able to provide VR Therapies a bespoke programmes for their service users.

Warner Recruitment grow their digital marketing with Additional Restrictions Grant

Warner Recruitment is a Finance and Accounting recruitment agency based in Northampton. Working in partnership with local job seekers and business across Northamptonshire, they specialise in temporary, permanent and contract positions in the Finance and Accounting sector.

The business was founded in June 2020 by director Julie Warner. Julie has been recruiting Finance and Accounting professionals across Northamptonshire since 2006. As the business grew, Haydon Warner joined the company in June 2021 as Recruitment Director. Over the last 9 months, the company has taken on staff and currently has 9 employees.

As a business that was created during the first COVID-19 lockdown, the company initially ran virtually from home using Teams and Zoom. The company invested time into their social media presence and the creation of video content to promote the company and its services, “This was a great way to present and promote Warner Recruitment, especially when travel and face-to-face meetings were restricted.”

Warner Recruitment successfully applied for the Additional Restrictions Grant, funded by UK Government, distributed through West Northamptonshire Council and managed by the University of Northampton, to support the business throughout the pandemic. Despite being Haydon’s first grant application, he found that the process was “clear and simple. I was provided good guidance on my application; this was very helpful.” Haydon also noted that the ‘quick response was great when making plans on the construction of the new website.” Receiving the grant has enabled the company to continue investment into digital marketing; an area which became significant to their business during the lockdowns. Warner Recruitment have used the funding to create two short professional films to be used ‘front and centre’ of the new company website which will launch in June 2022.

Business Adviser, Paul Smith commented: “Working with this client was very refreshing as they were very open to advice and guidance throughout the process.”

It is an exciting time for Warner Recruitment as they look to establish themselves across Northamptonshire as the leading agency for Finance and Accounting recruitment. They are looking to grow their team and invest in ‘state of the art’ digital technology to allow them to offer a premium service to clients and candidates.