Mike Astbury

A local community interest company has taken an innovative approach to internships - giving them immediate responsibility and making them projects leads from day one.

Mondrem, based in the Smart Innovation Hub on Keele University’s Science and Innovation Park, is a public service transformation consultancy which focuses on creating the best possible work environment for their customers and staff.

Since moving to Keele, Mondrem have employed 10 of the University’s students as interns, with 8 going on to be offered full-time positions at the organisation.

In addition to embracing the internship opportunities, Mondrem has also taken advantage of other support on offer from Keele, having participated in both the Innovation Leadership and the Research & Innovation Support programmes.

Mike Astbury, Mondrem Group’s, Chief Executive said:

“Thanks to support from Keele University, our workforce grew by 200% from 2019."

Mike continued: "Being based on the Keele Science and Innovation Park and being so close to a potential workforce of talented young people is just an amazing thing to be part of.

"As a small company there is all types of expertise and support that you need, being based here has just put those on a plate and made it so much easier along with lots of partnership and collaboration opportunities.”

The following support programmes at Keele University received funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020:

• Keele University Science & Innovation Park Smart Innovation Hub (Ref: 32R17P01691);
• Smart Energy Network Demonstrator (Ref: 32R16P00706);
• Business Bridge (Ref: 32R18P02530);
• Innovation Centre Seven - IC7 (Ref: 32R19P03785).

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DfLUHC) (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) was the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund.