Working with business

We seek to put our research into action through collaborative partnerships with industry. Businesses are increasingly reliant on science and technology to add value to their products, to meet the stringent specifications demanded by their customers and legislators, and to ensure that they remain commercially competitive.

We have excellent links with the food industry, and collaborate closely with major food manufacturers, retailers and research organisations.

A resource for all

We can offer applications and benefits to any type and size of food company, from small businesses to multi-national manufacturers, and also trade organisations.

Knowledge

We can help with quality assurance, food security, product development, new legislation and compliance monitoring.

Collaboration

Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. We’re looking to work alongside forward-thinking external partners with whom we can work on impactful and innovative R&D projects by applying our research skills, technologies and methodologies. We seek industry partners to engage in projects funded from schemes such as the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, Global Challenge Research Fund, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) and the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme. To focus our future research portfolio, direction is provided by the membership of our External Advisory Board.

Consultancy

If you’d prefer to benefit from our knowledge, facilities, expertise and technology on a consultancy basis, that can also be arranged. 

Access to facilities

Our facilities can be accessed by industrial partners and collaborators. If you are looking to locate a particular item of research equipment you can search the N8 database, which holds details of all the equipment and facilities across the N8 university partnership.

Join our Industrial Advisory Board

Our Industrial Advisory Board comprises academics and representatives from industry. The Board provides a strategic view from the industrial community on our research, student education, innovation, and external engagement activities.

Recuit our students

We have a dedicated Employability Team that provide businesses with access to our talented students through a range of services.

Get in touch

If you’d like to access our facilities, and work with our world-leading academics, then please contact:

Simon Wilkins, Research and Innovation Development Manager
t: +44 (0)113 343 3039, e: s.a.wilkins@leeds.ac.uk

Sameera Rafiq, Research Support Officer, e: foodresearch@leeds.ac.uk