NEWS2 October 2025
The University of Surrey has once again been recognised as a national leader in innovation and commercialisation in the 2025 Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF5), published by Research England.
The KEF, which assesses the contribution of England’s higher education institutions to the economy and society, has shown the University of Surrey, which operates the prestigious Surrey Research Park, at the heart of the Surrey Innovation District and home to around 200 innovative businesses, as continuing to achieve the top rating of very high engagement for the Working with Business, and IP and Commercialisation criteria.
A top rating for the Working with the Public and Third Sector category was also achieved this round. These results place Surrey well above the national average compared to peer institutions.
How Surrey Research Park contributes to KEF
For businesses based at Surrey Research Park, these results demonstrate the benefits of being part of a community connected to one of the UK’s most innovation-driven universities and making use of all the facilities we have to offer.
- Driving innovation commercialisation
More than 45 collaborative research projects are in the pipeline, particularly in health and biotech, alongside direct entrepreneurial support provided through SETsquared Surrey and the S100 Club. During the period 2024/25 SETsquared Surrey supported around 100 businesses, including spin-outs, and student and staff startups, helping to secure £8.42m from a range of investors, including our S100 angel investment club. - Building talent pipelines that support local growth
Park companies gained early access to future skills and high-calibre graduates. Over the past year, more than 200 students and graduates took part in themed tours of space, sustainability and health businesses at the Park. In addition, 17 professional training year placements brought new skills and ideas into nine Park companies. - Working with the Public and Third Sector
The University has spearheaded several initiatives initiatives to collaborate with these sectors. These include our CancerBusters knowledge exchange programme, which brings together academics and NHS healthcare professionals to share expertise on cancer research. The Park and university researchers have also worked with the Royal Surrey County Hospital on a clean air research project.
Professor Stephen Jarvis, President and Vice-Chancellor, said: “[The KEF 5] achievements demonstrate Surrey’s commitment to driving innovation and delivering real-world impact. By working closely with business and industry, we are helping to shape the UK’s future economy.”
Professor Lisa Collins, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, added:
“Surrey’s innovation ecosystem is going from strength to strength. Building on our long heritage, we are turning ideas into impact, supporting growth within the University and catalysing opportunity across our region and beyond.”
Caroline Fleming, Director of Surrey Innovation District and Innovation Lead at Surrey Research Park, said: “We are thrilled to once again be recognised at the highest level in KEF5. It’s a testament to the strength of our innovation ecosystem and it reflects the impact that collaboration between the University, businesses at Surrey Research Park, charities and the public sector can deliver today. Looking ahead, we will build on this momentum, creating even more opportunities to connect ambitious companies with University expertise to get more of our innovations out of labs and into the marketplace.”