A unique partnership delivering added value
The M&S Archive stands on the University of Leeds campus as a physical representation of the wider partnership between M&S and the University of Leeds, a research-intensive Russell Group University with particularly strong research departments in food and textile technology and business management.
The partnership is a distinctive model for HE-Industry collaboration, generating impact, value and opportunity for both partners. The partnership enables M&S to access academic expertise to inform business decisions in a variety of different areas and demonstrates our commitment to help young people into work.
The partnership focuses on three core strands offering exciting opportunities for collaboration:
RESEARCH Supporting opportunities for collaborative, solution-led research based on business priorities.
EMPLOYABILITY Combining business and HE perspectives to develop colleagues and support the transition for young people into the workplace.
CULTURE Harnessing opportunities for cultural development, including through the learning and engagement programmes of M&S Archive.
Partnership Highlights
- Over £1.5m research income generated, including major collaborative research projects on workforce diversity, international retail and textile technology.
- Over 250 student work experience placements within M&S across Food, Plan A, Packaging Design, Legal, Corporate Partnership, Retail, Communications and Archive.
- Collaborative networking events and guest speakers on a wide range of business subjects
(Figures since 2012. Image: M&S Graphic Design student competition entry)
Latest Partnership News
M&S Chief Finance Officer visits campus as guest speaker on the Business School’s MBA programme
Part of an ongoing programme of guest speaker events.
M&S Archive supports collaborative project led by School of Design
This collaborative project, led by academics in the School of Design, is titled ‘Making Modern Fashion: Creative Labour and British Manufacturing in Context Since 1950’.
M&S-owned artworks on loan to the Stanley and Audrey Burton Art Gallery
The artworks are now on public display in the University’s art gallery.
Case Study: Innovation MOOC
As part of our ongoing commitment to innovation, M&S worked with the University of Leeds to create a free, online course. Building on M&S’s reputation as a world class retailer, it features M&S people and case studies and material from the M&S Archive to highlight the importance of innovation and people to business success. First launched in 2015, over 32,000 learners around the world have completed the course.
- Finalist: National Business Awards 2013
- Winner: Employer Engagement Award, Educate North 2015
- Finalist: Outstanding Employer Engagement Initiative, THE Awards 2015
- Finalist: Business Partnership Award, Guardian University Awards 2016
