Professional services firm reveals data tie-up with University of Nottingham

Professional services firm, KPMG, has launched a partnership with the University of Nottingham that it says will “drive insight” for clients and “support the economic growth agenda” across the East Midlands.

The partnership with the University of Nottingham will be focused on advanced data analytics. Specialists from the University’s Data-Driven Discovery Initiative (3Di) and KPMG will develop new research and provide insight that will enhance data and analytics services for businesses.

The collaboration between KPMG and the University of Nottingham also forms part of the university’s new programme, Digital Nottingham, which has ambitions to transform its home city of Nottingham through data science, technology and innovation.

KPMG plans to launch a series of partnerships with universities across the UK and has also announced a partnership with the University of Leeds focused on entrepreneurship and the scale-up of high growth businesses.

Marc Abrams, East Midlands office senior partner at KPMG, said: “Over the past year, we’ve seen rapid change and disruption locally, nationally and globally, and we’ve also seen just how crucial data analytics and tech are in helping to navigate and overcome some of the challenges. So I’m delighted that we’re partnering with the University of Nottingham to combine our expertise with leading research and knowledge to bring value to our local economy.

“This partnership puts KPMG’s commitment to the East Midlands at the heart of its plans and it also demonstrates how important it is for us as a firm to support our local communities. Together, we have a shared ambition and we will be able to harness our strengths and bring together the right people with the right skills to deliver value to local businesses.

“As the focus on recovery and sustainable growth continues, the importance of data and tech will only increase, so this partnership will be key in supporting the regional economic agenda to ‘build back better’.”

Dr John Gathergood, professor of economics and associate pro-vice chancellor for research and knowledge exchange in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Nottingham, said: “This partnership is an exciting step in our drive to boost our research offering in the area of financial services and financial technology. Digital Nottingham is our endeavour to transform our city; its potential; the skills and ambitions of our community; and deliver growth and recovery.

“Through Digital Nottingham, the university will create new partnerships with business and the community that propel forward new opportunities for growth, development and regeneration, delivering high-skilled employment, quality jobs and a new growth narrative for our region. These powerful partnerships will help us accelerate our plans to be a home to an open community of innovation and discovery, creating a place with purpose in partnership with the city council, business and local community.”