The Board of the South West Fed, and academics and employability staff from the University of Exeter met to formalise the partnership

South West Fed and University of Exeter sign Memorandum of Understanding

The South West Fed is delighted to announce that it has furthered its partnership with the University of Exeter by formally signing a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

On 12 December, the Board of the South West Fed, and academics and employability staff from the University of Exeter met to formalise the partnership, with Claire Dixon (Chair, South West Fed) and Sean Fielding (Director of Innovation, Impact and Business, University of Exeter) signing the MoU.

Both organisations have been collaborating for several years and since 2016 have been growing their relationship in the areas of conferences, promoting industry placements and internships to South West Fed members, and promoting the new International Heritage Management and Consultancy MA. The MoU acknowledges the intention for South West Fed and University of Exeter to work together to explore the possibility of developing and furthering the following common objectives:

• Entering into discussions to improve awareness of each other’s expertise and needs, and to assist in building networks to facilitate further mutual cooperation
• Recognising that there may be mutual interest and benefit in undertaking joint research and pilot projects
• Maximising wider collaboration and interaction with a broader network of heritage organisations in the South West and the wider UK

Claire Dixon, Chair, South West Fed, said: “The South West Fed’s mission is to create opportunities to connect and inspire the heritage community across the South West, for the benefit of organisations and their audiences. In signing the MoU with the University, it’s my aspiration that we can explore and create even more opportunities through mutual cooperation, growing both of our networks for the benefit of organisations and their audiences."

As a long-standing membership organisation serving the whole of the South West region, which is 'Together for Heritage', we are excited about the genuine potential of collaborating with a prestigious organisation like the University to amplify our mission and innovate our practice. I look forward to leading the board of the South West Fed into this new phase of our relationship.”

Sean Fielding, Director of Innovation, Impact and Business, University of Exeter, said: “This MoU sets out a number of ways that we can work together for mutual benefit. This is a great opportunity to bring two leading organisations together to do great things. Together we can make the South West a beacon for heritage and museum innovation and create new opportunities for the next generation.”

Anna Bryant, Trustee (University of Exeter Relationship Manager), South West Fed, said: “As previous Chair of the South West Fed, with the help of the board, I was delighted to grow our relationship with the University over several years, building the foundations of the MoU. The potential that exists in this budding relationship is one of the reasons I am staying closely aligned to it going forwards.

The event, held at the RAMM offices, was an opportunity for both organisations to network and to further discuss the potential of the MoU. 

Date: 19 December 2018