Is your business looking to innovate, improve competitiveness, or bring new ideas to market?

In this session, we will learn about Soapworks’ success story.

As the UK’s premier manufacturer of soaps and cleansing bars for body, hair and face, Soapworks produces 50 million bars every year. They supply internationally leading brands, such as The Body Shop, around the world.

CEO Brian Cumming will tell us about their latest innovation project, which would not have been possible without collaboration with the University of Glasgow through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP).

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) help businesses solve challenges, innovate, and develop new products and services. Speakers from the University’s KTP Centre will share practical insights into how businesses can benefit from collaborating with academics and accessing specialist expertise.

Whether you’re looking to tackle a specific business challenge, bring new ideas to market, or gain a competitive edge, this session is for you.

This event is delivered in partnership with the University of Glasgow.

Agenda:

12.00 Registrations & Networking Lunch
12.30 Welcome
12.35 Welcome from Adam Smith Business School – Anthony Devine
12.45 Soapworks KTP story – Andrew, Manlio Tassieri, Brian Cumming
13.15 Q&A
13.30 Group discussion
14.00 Close

What to expect at a Peer Works event:

☕ Free coffee

🥗 Free lunch

💙 Relaxed & inclusive atmosphere

🤝 Networking with like-minded people

💡Insider tips from local leaders & experts

Here’s what previous events attendees have said:

⭐*“It’s so valuable to learn from others, how they have done this in their own companies.”*

⭐*“You are always able to bring something back to your business and apply it either directly or indirectly.”*

⭐*“The networks, insights and confidence that the Peer Works events provide help increase my resolve and resilience.”*

Brian Cumming is Managing Director of Soapworks Ltd, the UK’s leading manufacturer of soap and cleansing bars, based in Glasgow. He joined the company in 1994 and has been central to its growth since, leading the team with a focus on building long-term customer and supplier relationships to support Soapworks’ continued expansion. Under his leadership, Soapworks has built a strong track record of academic-industry collaboration, including a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the University of Glasgow, coordinated by Quality Manager Claire Smart alongside Dr Manlio Tassieri’s team, which won the Technical Excellence Award and Future Leader Award at the 50th Anniversary KTP Awards in November 2025.

Professor Anthony Devine is Professor of Accounting and Deputy Head (Deputy Dean) of the Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow. His research spans blockchain, digital transformation, governance, accounting, and family business. Anthony is an enthusiastic support of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), and is Principal Investigator on a 2024 Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Troo, working alongside Prof Alison Gibb and Prof Bowei Chen, and is currently developing other KTP projects.

Andrew Kinnear is a KTP professional with the West of Scotland KTP Centre. With experience across business engagement, knowledge exchange and partnership development, Andrew works closely with organisations to identify opportunities where academic expertise can help address business challenges, drive innovation and deliver tangible commercial impact. Andrew is passionate about the role KTPs can play in bringing industry and academia together, developing talent and creating lasting value for businesses, universities and the wider economy.

Dr Manlio Tassieri is a Reader in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Glasgow, specialising in rheology, microrheology and the mechanical characterisation of complex materials. His research bridges fundamental science and industrial innovation, with a particular focus on developing new rheological measurement technologies. He has led and contributed to several industry collaborations, including an Outstanding-rated Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Soapworks Ltd, which delivered new technologies, intellectual property and a UK patent. He is an elected member of several Institute of Physics committees and serves on the Executive Council of the European Society of Rheology.