Unipart has signed a three-year strategic partnership with University of Derby aimed at developing future supply chain talent, strengthening industry-academic collaboration and supporting sustainable regional growth.
Bridging the gap between industry and education
The agreement will create new opportunities for students while advancing research and innovation around sustainable and digital supply chains. It also reinforces both organisations’ ambitions to build stronger links between higher education and industry as supply chains face growing pressure to improve resilience, efficiency and environmental performance.
The three-year partnership has been designed to foster closer collaboration between academia and industry, helping students gain practical experience while businesses benefit from fresh research and innovation.
Through the agreement, both organisations will work together on collaborative research projects, knowledge sharing and skills development initiatives that support sustainable business practices and supply chain transformation.
The partnership also reflects a broader trend across the supply chain sector, where companies are increasingly partnering with universities to build talent pipelines and accelerate innovation.
Developing the next generation of supply chain talent
A central goal of the partnership is to expand work-based learning opportunities for students and staff. Planned initiatives include a fully funded three-year PhD studentship, graduate schemes, and student placement programmes designed to give learners hands-on experience in logistics, operations and supply chain management.
The collaboration will also see experts from Unipart contribute industry insight to help shape graduate skills and attributes required for the future workforce. This includes expertise in digital transformation, operational excellence and sustainable supply chain practices.
Driving research into sustainable supply chains
The partnership aligns closely with the University of Derby’s Institute of Carbonomics, which focuses on advancing research and education around sustainable business and environmental impact. Through this connection, both organisations aim to explore practical solutions that help businesses reduce emissions and improve sustainability across supply chains.
Joint research initiatives are expected to explore topics such as low-carbon logistics, digital supply chain technologies and new approaches to operational efficiency.
Supporting regional growth and civic impact
Beyond student development, the partnership is expected to support wider research and innovation activity between academia and industry. Joint projects will focus on addressing complex operational challenges while helping organisations adopt more sustainable and digitally enabled supply chain models.
The agreement also builds on the University of Derby’s wider network of global industry collaborations, which includes partnerships with organisations such as McDonald’s UK & Ireland.
The collaboration supports the university’s broader civic mission to address social, economic and environmental challenges in the region. Planned initiatives include efforts to reduce energy use and contribute to the university’s sustainability targets.
Developing partnerships for the future
Darren Leigh, CEO at Unipart and a University of Derby alumnus, said: “Unipart’s ambition is to be the driving force behind efficient, resilient and sustainable supply chains. Partnerships with purpose are core to Unipart developing to what it is today and to who we become tomorrow.
“We share the same commitment to supporting innovation and creating positive impact in the communities we serve – students, colleagues and industry. I am excited therefore about what this partnership will develop and deliver, together.”
Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Derby, added: “We are delighted to be strengthening our partnership with Unipart through this strategic agreement.
“This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to innovation, industry engagement, and positive civic impact. By working together, we will create meaningful opportunities for our students, staff, and the wider community, while advancing our ambition to deliver sustainable growth and maximise the impact of our work with industry.”
This article was produced by the editorial team at EME Outlook and published as part of the Outlook Publishing global network of B2B industry magazines.
Outlook Publishing delivers industry insights, company stories, and sector coverage across manufacturing, mining, construction, healthcare, supply chains, food production, and sustainability.
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