Knowledge Exchange & Enterprise - Southampton Business School

Knowledge exchange and Enterprise (KEE) is a critical element of our University of Southampton strategy, recognising our strength as a national leader in knowledge exchange.

Within Southampton Business School our mission is to transform business and society for the better and with experts in a wide range of business disciplines, we are ideally placed to respond to real world challenges. In 2021 in support of our mission, and in recognition of the University strategy, SBS received additional funding for an additional ten posts with a particular emphasis on KEE.

Problem solving

The range of companies we work with is broad; many of our academic staff have significant high-level corporate expertise. We are also particularly keen to work with public sector organisations and SMEs to demonstrate our commitment to the region as part of our Small Business Charter and Civic University initiatives.

Our talented and enthusiastic students love working with real-world issues. Companies and organisations find their fresh eyes and innovative approaches really make a difference. Projects can be on a solo or group basis, reviewing one specific problem or several.

Executive Education

We are a Chartered Management Institute (CMI) approved centre offering both level five and seven leadership and management programmes. Individuals learning with us can choose from a wide range of opportunities from bite-size modules to full diplomas in Leadership and Management, all with flexible study options.

We run tailored Executive Education programmes for leaders and potential leaders, all based on up-to-date research and industry best-practice. These ‘Mini MBAs’ are taught by our expert academics as well as Business School Enterprise Fellows who contribute extensive senior corporate experience.

Our new Centenary Building for Executive Education in our Southampton campus is the ideal venue, and we employ a wide range of interactive learning tools, such as Lego Serious Play and Appreciative Enquiry.

Executive Learning Partnership

This is a membership programme for companies and organisations of all sizes to help upskill, educate and inform participants about key relevant topics.  There are monthly seminars from experts across the Business School and the wider University, with members suggesting topics, informed by latest research. An annual Leadership debate challenges conventional wisdom and there are opportunities to build other relationships and collaborations with the University of Southampton.

Recent subjects have included work/life balance, compassionate leadership, Cryptocurrency ethics and sustainability, and overcoming unconscious bias.