Consultancy
The University encourages the development of partnerships with external organisations, especially where interactions stimulate innovation and contribute to research dissemination. To support these aims, the University has a Policy on External Professional Activities (PDF) which includes consultancy and provides a consistent approach to supporting and encouraging consultancy arrangements.
Research and Enterprise supports academic and academic-related colleagues who wish to engage in consultancy.
Please contact your School's Research Development Officer for support at the earliest opportunity regarding any intention to undertake consultancy (whether privately or through the University). Your RDO is able to provide guidance regarding required governance, insurance, contractual and financial arrangements.
- Key points to note
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Permission is required from senior management in Research and Enterprise and within Schools / Divisions for all consultancies, both University and Private.
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Standard arrangement for University consultancy fees:
- 85% to the individual (either in Salary (subject to NI and Tax) and or to Research Support Account RSA). Note: if the fee (or part of fee) is allocated to a RSA it is formally relinquished to the School / University
- 10 % to the School / Division.
- 5% to the central university to cover administration time and insurances.
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It is the University represented by individuals, not individuals themselves that engage in consultancy. Only the official signatories for the University can sign contracts. (Not consultants or Heads of School).
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The fee for consultancy should be at or above certain minima according to an individual's pay grade. This is to comply with certain obligations that the University has concerning activities that are undertaken for private benefit. Please consult your RDO for the relevant fee levels.
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The University has a generous standard consultancy agreement that it can offer to organizations seeking consultancy expertise. Use of this standard consultancy agreement provides the necessary protection for both colleagues and client, and significantly simplifies the process. . Where however, work is to be undertaken on external terms, contracts must first be reviewed by the University to ensure that it can comply with the terms, and that individuals are protected. Assessing and negotiating terms on external contracts can take significant time.
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- Useful links
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- Quick guide to the Consultancy policy [PDF 18KB]
- Consultancy Services workflow [PDF 33KB]
- What is the difference between Research and Consultancy? [PDF 22KB]
- What is the difference between Consultancy and Other Services? [PDF 72KB]
- Consultancy FAQs [PDF 85KB]
- Authorised signatories [PDF 42KB]
- Policy on External Professional Activities [PDF 111KB] including consultancy.
- Other useful information
- Research and Enterprise documents and policies