About

Alison works collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to deliver the strategic development of partnerships and the development of placements, graduates, workforce development and CPD opportunities.

Prior to working in this role, Alison has operated as the Events Development Manager for the Sheffield Innovation Programme, a regional initiative funded by European Regional Development Funds. The programme aims to stimulate business growth and promote the development of long-term relationships with SMEs; this is achieved by providing access to a broad range of academic expertise and University facilities.

Working with University experts to develop innovation workshops and events for businesses in the Sheffield City Region to provide them with new knowledge and expertise, Alison fosters relationships with businesses and regional partners to develop collaborative opportunities, with the aim of helping businesses in the Sheffield City Region to grow.

Alison has wide-ranging experience of building effective partnerships between different organisations and has operated in an ambassadorial role for the University for a number of years.

Alison worked as Business Gateway Manager until 2016, working across business sectors to identify the appropriate sources of expertise within the University to meet the needs of businesses. The Business Gateway is a single point of contact for external organisations that require University expertise or resources, building relationships and project opportunities with industry and regional partners, facilitating relationships for them with research and academic staff.

Previously carrying out Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) management activities for the University, Alison helped to develop successful KTP proposals. This involved facilitating relationships between businesses and academic staff; KTP's help to provide resources and expertise to thriving organisations that wish to innovate, expand or improve their performance.

Alison managed the University’s involvement in the regional Innovation Vouchers initiative; this was funded consultancy delivered by University experts to Yorkshire and Humber businesses. The initiative ran to 2012 and Sheffield Hallam became the top supplier in the region.

Other previous activities include the management of Shell Step on behalf of the University. This national scheme placed undergraduate students into regional SMEs to undertake summer internships to carry out business and product development projects to challenging timescales. Alison ran the activity in South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire from 2005 to 2008. The programme was recognised with the national award for Best New Agency.