BRIERLEY Hill-based law firm Higgs & Sons is celebrating after its Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Aston Business School reached the finals of prestigious academic awards.

The KTP was nominated in the organisational development category of the 2014 European Foundation for Management Development Excellence in Practice Awards.

The awards recognise outstanding and impactful learning and development partnerships. Entries must demonstrate strong business impact, excellent programme management and operational excellence.

More than 30 entries were submitted for the award and the jury panel was composed of 25 representatives from companies, business schools and executive development centres.

Glyn Morris, project champion and finance director at Higgs & Sons, said: “We were thrilled to be chosen as finalists alongside some eminent organisations. The success and recognition we’ve had for the KTP has been beyond what we could have ever imagined and we’re looking forward to working on a second KTP with Aston Business School in the future.”

Higgs & Sons created a new role for dedicated KTP associate, Krishna Balthu, in order to apply the benefits of the KTP, which started with Aston Business School in July, 2011.

The KTP was recently rated "outstanding" by the Technology Strategy Board and is supporting Higgs in revolutionising the firm’s existing business processes, resourcing models and client communication.

Dr Ben Clegg, of the university’s operations and information management group, said: “I was delighted to hear of our nomination in such prestigious awards against such large global players. The success we’ve had in this KTP is a testament to all the hard work put in by everyone involved.”

Higgs & Sons, based at the Waterfront Business Park, employs more than 200 people.