Institute for Collaborative Working and Leeds University Business School sign strategic partnership
Leeds University Business School and the Institute for Collaborative Working (ICW) are pleased to announce a new strategic partnership.
This is marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organisations.
The partnership was formally announced at the ICW’s Annual Reception at the House of Lords on 14 May 2025 by Lord Hannett, the ICW Chairman, an event that brought together influential voices across industry and government to celebrate collaboration and shared progress.
This new agreement establishes a long-term framework for academic collaboration, research initiatives, and executive education development, with a shared focus on enhancing standards in collaborative working and contributing to national policy development in areas such as public procurement and supply chain management.
Through the partnership, Leeds University Business School will contribute to and help evolve the ICW’s executive education portfolio — supporting the delivery and development of courses with a focus on both UK and international participants. The collaboration will also support the creation of co-authored content such as white papers and policy briefs, offer new opportunities for cross-disciplinary research, and strengthen engagement between ICW’s member network and academic experts.
Professor David Loseby, Professor of Research Impact at Leeds University Business School and a recognised expert in behavioural science and procurement, attended the House of Lords announcement alongside Professor Chee Wong, Professor of Supply Chain Management.
“This partnership represents a strategic meeting of minds — built on a shared ambition to raise standards in collaborative working. By embedding this thinking into education and research, we can equip the next generation of business leaders with the skills to build more effective partnerships across sectors.” — Professor David Loseby
A key mission of the Institute is to act as a bridge across academia, the public, private, and third sectors—bringing these communities together to develop collaborative capabilities and competencies at both organisational and individual levels. I am proud to be working with Leeds University Business School, a prestigious and highly ranked institution, and I am confident that this relationship will strengthen our ability to fulfil this mission—advancing the knowledge, reach, and practice of effective collaborative working.
As part of the agreement, both organisations have committed to fostering real-world impact. This includes developing pilot projects with ICW member organisations, contributing to the nationally endorsed Collaboration Playbook, and promoting best practice in the field of collaboration through events, mentoring and joint publications.
The partnership also opens new avenues for student benefit — helping students understand the principles of collaborative working and how they can apply them throughout their careers.
Quarterly meetings between the two organisations will begin in June 2025 to coordinate the roll-out of activities.
Find out more about the Institute for Collaborative Working (ICW) here.
