M&S: Business and HE in
Partnership
Katharine Carter (The M&S Company Archive)
& Megan Parsons (The University of Leeds)
IN PARTNERSHIP
Background
• M&S 125 Anniversary,
2009:
– temporary exhibition
– engagement programme
• Capital Project: new,
permanent home for the
archive in a shared
building on campus
IN PARTNERSHIP
New opportunities
• March 2012: launch
of The M&S
Company Archive
• Shared access and
engagement priorities
• Culture, Research,
Employability
IN PARTNERSHIP
Working together to secure
external funding: Culture
• Heritage Lottery Fund: Marks in Time
Community Engagement project, 2009
• HLF application with Dance United as part
of ‘Legacies of War’, 2013 – 2014
• Arts Council England: Artists in Residence
project, 2013
IN PARTNERSHIP
Artist in Residence Bid: Inspired by the M&S Company Archive
• 3 Residencies of 3 months each
• Disciplines: Poetry; Music; Art
• Seeking Grants for the Arts Funding plus support from M&S Company
Archive and University of Leeds
Working together to secure
external funding: Research
• M&S Chair in Business History, Faculty of Arts
• European Science Foundation ‘HERA’ project on
fashion as a cultural and economic phenomenon,
2013 – 2016
• Collaboratively funded PhDs :
– ‘Social History of Food’
– ‘Energy Consumption & Consumer Behaviour’
IN PARTNERSHIP
Working together to secure
external funding: Research
• Shared research priorities:
– Functional Packaging & Waste Reduction
– Improved Refrigeration Efficiency
– Real-time Stock Inventory
– Sustainable Animal Food Strategy
– Embedding Understanding/Building Leadership
Capability
• Initial investment in the archive project delivering a
greater return on investment for each partner
IN PARTNERSHIP
Our experience to date
Challenges
– Stakeholder management
– Communication
– Calendar
Positives
– Innovation
– Creativity
– Experience and expertise
– Shared priorities delivering benefits for both partners
– Culture - Reaching different audiences at different
levels
IN PARTNERSHIP