Royal approval for high-performing Huddersfield business graduate

Eloïse Keating was awarded a coveted Chancellor’s Prize by HRH The Duke of York in recognition of the high marks achieved during her postgraduate degree

AN MBA from the University of Huddersfield will help ensure that Eloïse Keating’s company becomes increasingly successful.  High marks in her studies meant that she earned one of the University’s 2018 Chancellor’s Prizes, awarded to the year’s best-performing students.

She received the prize from the University’s Chancellor, HRH The Duke of York, at a special ceremony.  Afterwards, Eloïse did not have far to go to return to her office.  The company of which she is a director is based at the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre, part of the University’s campus.

MODUS 

The firm is named MODUS Research and Innovation.  It provides specialist assistance to universities, companies and other organisations that bid for UK or European research funding, from sources such as Innovate UK and Horizon 2020.

Eloïse Keating’s role includes the development of detailed proposals for funding and once it has been secured, MODUS then helps to implement the project, disseminate the results and fulfil its commercial potential.

The company has worked with universities throughout Europe and firms ranging from global leaders to ambitious SMEs, involved in a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, social sciences, photonics, space applications, nano-materials and metrology.

Eloïse’s background as a student of chemistry and bio-chemistry in her native France has aided the scientific dimension of her work.  Involvement in the field of research collaboration and drafting funding bids came after she relocated to the UK and began to work for the company that preceded MODUS, before the latter was launched as the present not-for-profit organisation.

Professional development

Early in the company’s development, it was agreed that Eloïse should boost her skillset by studying for her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), and she enrolled at the University of Huddersfield.  

Average marks topped 80 per cent and her coursework portfolio included a dissertation which looks into the use of language in the lived-experience as an enabler of identity and practice creation for entrepreneurs.

“The MBA has given me frameworks and platforms for thought.  It is scaffold on which you can hang your ideas, and others can bounce off it as well,” said Eloïse.

“It has also helped me deepen understanding of specific subject matters, such as finances” she added.

MODUS now has a staff of nine – most being based at the company’s office in Dundee – and Eloïse said that the determination is to grow the company further, with some emphasis remaining on European funding sources.