Full guide to Consultancy Policy May 2006 Page 1 - University of ...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Source of reference
Consultancy forms an important part of the Enterprise agenda and this policy provides a single source of reference.
This summary provides an outline. Please refer to the core policy for concise policy description.
Consulting Channels
The policy sets out the four channels through which consulting may be conducted namely:
• Private consulting – where a member of staff consults on their own without the involvement of the University
and where revenue flows directly to the academic.
… and three University-based channels:
• School-based consulting/services rendered – where a member of staff consults in co-operation with the
School.
• Unit-based consulting – where there is an existing Industrial or Consulting Unit through which the consultancy
activity is managed.
• Service company-based consulting – which is new and intended to help promote new and untapped areas of
expertise. This is an approach delivered through the University of Southampton Consulting Ltd (UoSC). This
is a wholly owned subsidiary of UoS Holdings Ltd.
The value of established consulting through both private and university-based channels is recognised as a valuable
contribution to the standing of the University.
Balance
This policy seeks to strike a practical balance between prescriptive policy and guidance, and the freedom of Heads of
School to exercise judgement on what is appropriate for their particular school circumstances.
The scope of consulting
Consulting is defined as part of knowledge transfer, and arises where knowledge and expertise can be deployed
successfully for financial and other forms of benefit. This may include a range of consulting activities such as the
delivery of non-award bearing CPD. Consulting does not include:
• The creation of knowledge (i.e. research) – activities operated under the heading of consultancy cannot
normally qualify for RAE
• The dissemination of primary knowledge (i.e. education) – core teaching or teaching related activities in
relation to any award bearing programme.
Consent
All consulting activity through all channels must be reviewed and receive prior consent from the appropriate Head of
School or Director of Professional Services to observe policy requirements on aspects such as:
• Eligibility (this varies according to staff category)
• Consulting channel (different commercial rules apply)
• Risk (to safeguard University and staff interests)
This policy draws a distinction between those members of staff who:
• May consult directly and contract with a client to do consultancy work through eligible channels and,
• Those who may assist in consultancy activities but may not agree contracts with clients.
Full guide to Consultancy Policy May 2006 Page 5