Skip to main content
Photograph of Clare
Staff Directory

Clare Keegan

Head of Enterprise Business Services

My role is aimed at managing collaborative and commercial relationships, strengthening Harper Adams University’s links and opportunities with regional, national and international businesses and other activities to support the growth and increase the diversity of students and apprentices. I manage a team to administer apprenticeship funding and compliance as well as a Business Development team who look after employer engagement and collaboratve bid writing. 

I have worked in Higher Education for the past 20 years, although I left for a short while to set up and manage Apprenticeships for Large Retailers and to develop a sales team in the Digital Ceramics Industry. I have also worked across the Food and Drink Manufacturing sector developing skills and training programmes.

My last five years in HE has been focused on the development of new degree apprenticeship programmes with Employers, including the operational aspects of contracting, compliance, funding and delivery. Harper Adams University is a fully approved apprenticeship provider developing new programmes each year from levels 4 - 7, based on the specialist industries it serves. I am a West Midlands Apprentice Ambassador, a part of the national network to support growth of apprenticeships. 

I am a representative for knowledge exchange policy at the University, including Higher Eductaion Innovation Fund, and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) and other Innovate UK grant funding.

I network with Partners across the West Midlands and national business/skills committees, LEPs, Chambers of Commerce and subject specific organisations. I represent Food and Drink and Agri -Tech on the Telford Business Board. I am supporting Telford and Wrekin Council to attract business to the Newport Innovation Park (Ni-Park) to develop an agri tech cluster in the vicinity of the University.

I contribute to bids for additional funds related to business and enterprise development such as the Catalyst Fund, Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF),  and work with Local Authorties and the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). I have written many enterprise and innovation award nominations for Business including the Queens Awards.

Department: Academic Services

Tel: 01952815054

Twitter: @HAUapprentices

Office: AC3 Aspire Centre

Additional Information

This is an outward facing role seeking innovative opportunities for the university to work with the business community.

The main purpose of the role is to foster linkages and relationships with business, industry and public organisations. A key outcome is to deliver positive ways of working with external partners to deliver benefits back to the wider University through additional income streams, developing key partnerships and by creating new channels for engagement.  This will be achieved through leadership of teams which are employer and industry sector focused and includes Apprenticeship team, Business Development team that work closely with Academic departments. This role works closely with CERC, Short Course and placement teams and the Development Trust for those who wish to explore sponsorships and scholarships. This role reports to Research and KNowledeg Exchange Commitee and Academic Strategy and Management Group.

Research projects

Contact

Enquiry

Cookies on the Harper Adams University website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the website. However, you can change your cookie settings at any time.