> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thestaffordshiresignal.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Keele University Praised for Business and Regional Impact in National Assessment - URL: https://www.thestaffordshiresignal.co.uk/keele-university-praised-in-national-assessment/ - Published: 2026-10-08T10:45:06.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T10:45:06.000Z - Description: Keele’s work with businesses and contributions to local growth have been praised in the latest Knowledge Exchange Framework assessment from UK Research and Innovation. - Author: The Staffordshire Signal Newsroom - Tags: Business & Education ****THE SIGNAL BRIEF** ****What’s new:** Keele has been ranked among the top universities in England for regional impact in several areas in the latest Knowledge Exchange Framework. ****Why it matters:** The assessment recognises Keele’s work with businesses, public and third sector organisations, communities and regional economic development. ****By the numbers:** Plans for Keele Innovation District are expected to support 13,000 jobs and contribute £1 billion to the local economy, alongside a proposed £500m advanced ceramics research centre. Keele’s work with businesses and contributions to local growth have been praised in a national assessment from a government research body. The latest [Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF6)](https://kef.ac.uk/?ref=thestaffordshiresignal.co.uk), published today by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has seen Keele ranked among the top universities in England for regional impact in several different areas. The assessment looks at how universities share their knowledge with partners for the benefit of the economy and society. Keele scored particularly highly this year for its work with local businesses, contributions to local growth and regeneration, public engagement, and collaboration with the public and third sectors. This recognition reinforces Keele’s ongoing role in supporting economic growth, innovation, and collaboration across the region. Highlights this year have included [a leading life sciences company based at Keele which is expanding](https://www.keele.ac.uk/about/news/2026/february/life-sciences-company/reaffirms-commitment-keele.php?ref=thestaffordshiresignal.co.uk) its headquarters and manufacturing operations after securing major government funding, as well as [work by a Keele researcher to improve community support for place-based decarbonisation schemes.](https://www.keele.ac.uk/about/news/2026/august/community-involvement/place-based-decarbonisation-schemes.php?ref=thestaffordshiresignal.co.uk) Keele also unveiled its plans for [Keele Innovation District in 2026](https://www.keele.ac.uk/business/newsandevents/ournews/2026/may/keele-innovation-district/local-authority-support.php?ref=thestaffordshiresignal.co.uk), will support 13,000 jobs and contribute £1 billion to the local economy, and support high value businesses including a planned new [£500m centre for advanced ceramics research](https://www.keele.ac.uk/business/newsandevents/ournews/2026/august/plans-revealed/advanced-ceramics-research.php?ref=thestaffordshiresignal.co.uk) which has been proposed by technology company Lucideon. Professor Mark Ormerod OBE, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, said: > “I’m delighted that Keele has once again performed very strongly in the UK Knowledge Exchange Framework, in particular being ranked very highly nationally for our work with business and for our local growth and regeneration, and for our public and community engagement, our work with public and third sector organisations, and our research partnerships. > > “These are testament to our civic mission and engagement and our important role in supporting economic growth, innovation and collaboration across the region.” ![The Staffordshire Signal](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3b/48/3b482e3b-bd85-4cd0-bf5d-b4c28e10d60b/content/images/2026/04/Logo-website-PNG-close-crop-green-4.png) Why the Signal exists ## Real news takes time. Thanks for taking yours. You've just read a story that took time to get right. No clickbait, no racing to be first, no ads chasing you down the page. 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