10th December 2024 – [Cambridge, UK] – PraxisAuril, the UK's leading association for Knowledge Exchange (KE) professionals, will rebrand this December as Knowledge Exchange UK (KEUK), marking an exciting evolution that reflects the organisation’s commitment to advancing knowledge exchange practices across the UK and beyond. With over twenty years of experience bridging the worlds of academia, industry, and society, KEUK will continue to be a trusted pillar of expertise and innovation in the sector, with a renewed emphasis on supporting KE practitioners in a dynamic and changing landscape.
The rebrand comes at a crucial time for the KE sector. The recent UK Budget, presented on 30th October, highlighted the essential need for economic growth and underlined the role KE can play in driving innovation, creating jobs, and building a resilient economy. The transformation to Knowledge Exchange UK reflects a strategic response to these shifting demands in the economy, society, and the KE profession.
Amanda Selvaratnam, Chair of the Board, commented:
“The rebrand to Knowledge Exchange UK signifies a deliberate, strategic shift towards a stronger focus on supporting our community of knowledge exchange professionals. Now is the time for us to meet the rising demands of a sector that is increasingly vital—not just within universities and research institutions, but as a cornerstone of the UK’s economic strategy. Our commitment is to empower KE practitioners with the resources, networks, and skills they need to flourish.”
The rebrand was first announced to members at the organisation’s annual conference in June, with strong support from key stakeholders within the KE ecosystem.
Alice Frost, Director of Knowledge Exchange at Research England, added:
“PraxisAuril’s transition to Knowledge Exchange UK marks an important step forward, emphasising the essential role of knowledge exchange in fostering collaboration, innovation, and positive change across the UK.”
Adam Williams, CEO of the IPO, stated:
“The rebrand highlights the growing importance of knowledge exchange in today’s economy, helping organisations to harness IP for research and commercialisation.”
Joe Marshall, CEO of the National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB), highlighted the collaborative aspects of the rebrand:
“Collaboration between universities and businesses is vital for unlocking innovation and addressing the challenges of the future. Knowledge Exchange UK is a key organisation for the UK in developing the people who support making collaborations happen.”
Since its inception, PraxisAuril has been committed to promoting excellence in KE by delivering high-quality training, building professional networks, and advocating for the sector’s impact. Knowledge Exchange UK will continue these initiatives with renewed focus, helping members navigate challenges such as evolving funding landscapes, strengthening university-industry partnerships, and addressing the increased importance of research impact.
Stuart Wilkinson, CEO of Knowledge Exchange UK, added:
“This is an incredibly exciting time for Knowledge Exchange UK as we rebrand and refresh our activities to provide the most relevant, forward-looking support for KE practitioners. We are preparing to launch new programmes, resources, and initiatives that will ensure every member has the tools they need to play a central role in building the UK’s innovation ecosystem.”
With this rebrand, KEUK will offer expanded programmes, more tailored training opportunities, fortified partnerships, and greater representation—all geared towards helping its members drive impactful knowledge exchange projects and achieve tangible results for UK society and the economy. KEUK remains committed to its core mission of nurturing a skilled, well-supported community of KE professionals ready to tackle tomorrow’s challenges and opportunities.
This press release was prepared by Knowledge Exchange UK.