Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Creative Industry* are invited to join a collaborative partnership with business management researchers at the highly rated University of Leicester and apply for ESRC funded consultancy.

ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) is providing 50% match funding of up to £100,000 to respond to the knowledge needs of creative businesses. Only a fraction of the SME’s contribution need be in cash. The rest could be contribution-in-kind.

This is an exciting opportunity for companies to sustain and grow their businesses through knowledge transfer and exchange. They can greatly enhance their operational and management practice by tapping into research-informed knowledge.  Support will be available in all areas of business (like marketing, strategy, innovation, leadership, accounting and finance as well as others) following an initial business needs assessment.

Dr. Muhideen Adesokan, Post-Doctoral Research Assistant, the Efficiency and Productivity Research Unit, School of Management, University of Leicester said:

“We are delighted to share our world acclaimed expertise with SMEs in the Creative Industry. Leicester is one of U.K’s leading research and teaching universities with a number of departments across different faculties  gaining the 5 or 5* ratings that indicate internationally significant work. 

Participating companies will gain knowledge that will enable them improve their competitiveness, productivity and profitability as well as keep ahead of the game in the increasingly fierce business environment”

For more information please contact:   

• Dr. Muhideen Adesokan
• School of Management, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH
• Phone: 0116 223 1380  
• Fax: 0116 252 3949  
• E-mail: mba4@le.ac.uk

Closing date for applications is 15 March 2008.

*Creative industry refers to business activities that fall under one of the following 13 sub sectors: art & antiques; architecture; design, music, computer games & video, film, advertising, TV & radio, publishing, performing arts, crafts, software, designer fashion.