SDG’s Sneha Parajuli shortlisted for prestigious Innovate UK award
Armagh construction accessories company SDG are celebrating the announcement by Innovate UK that staff member Sneha Parajuli, a Queen’s University Associate, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Awards in the Future Leader category.
Sneha, who is a Strategic Management Analyst in SDG, is one of only four Northern Ireland finalists out of 800 collaboration
projects funded by Innovate UK. The awards recognise the best of the best in future leadership.
SDG, who supply specialist construction materials to the building and construction industry, embarked on a Management Knowledge Transfer Partnership (mKTP) working in collaboration with Professor Julie McCandless and Professor Min Zhang
from Queen’s University Management School in 2020.
Sneha was appointed with the objective of delivering operational transformation within SDG. Since joining the family business, Sneha has played a key role, identifying strategies for improving customer relationship management, strategic insights, and driving continuous improvement in innovation.
Commenting on Sneha being shortlisted, Louise Skeath, CEO at SDG, said: “The Innovate UK shortlisting is very prestigious for Sneha and SDG, requiring a rigorous assessment in order to be considered a finalist. Sneha has had a significant impact since joining us, undertaking excellent work looking at our business approach and creating an innovation knowledge hub for staff. She has earned a reputation for being analytical, detailed, innovative and a team player and is held in high regard by us all. SDG has already improved our effectiveness through her data analysis works identifying opportunities, streamlining change management and future planning.”
Lorraine Marks, Head of KTP at Queen’s University, added: “I’m delighted that Sneha’s hard work has been recognised with this nomination. She is an excellent example of the highly skilled graduates we have working as KTP Associates in businesses all over Northern Ireland. I wish Sneha every success at the KTP Awards in October.”
Over 800 Knowledge Transfer Partnerships projects between universities and business are active across the UK, with less than 40 shortlisted for the awards. The Innovate UK Awards will take place in Liverpool on October 12, 2022.
Main image: Sneha Parajuli from County Armagh company SDG who is shortlisted for the prestigious Innovate UK, KTP Awards.