A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) involving Ulster University Business School, the School of Engineering and construction firm Heron Bros received the national Best Management KTP award. Professor Trevor Cadden was part of the academic leadership team supporting the project, which developed new management capabilities within the company, including operational performance management, business intelligence use and structured continuous improvement practices. The initiative enabled the organisation to support its growth strategy and embed a long-term operational excellence framework to guide its strategic development over the following five years.