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¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ Leicester (¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ) has entered a new strategic partnership with leading wealth management firm .

The partnership marks the first collaboration of its kind for ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ bringing together two major Leicester institutions to create industry-ready graduates, drive innovation and strengthen opportunities for the city.

Mattioli Woods Group Chief Executive Officer Ian Mattioli MBE said the partnership will help expand and diversify the future talent pool, drawing on the breadth of backgrounds and perspectives found within ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ and the wider city.

He added: “I’m really proud of Leicester I’m proud of what it stands for, what it does and the communities it brings together. For us talent pipelines and diversity is key, alongside research to help us understand what our industry needs for the future.

“The agreement with ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ is a win win. Let’s see what we can do with it and where it takes us and that, for me, is always the exciting part.”

The partnership covers joint design of modules across finance, law, data and business disciplines; collaboration on research, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and the development of the Mattioli Woods Academy, plus opportunities including internships, mentoring, and scholarships.

Both organisations will also work together on continuing professional development (CPD) courses, consultancy, community engagement and sustainability.

From left Sarah Thomson, principal partnerships officer; Ian Mattioli, group CEO of Mattioli Woods; Iain MacKenzie, COO at Mattioli Woods, Professor Katie Normington, Vice-Chancellor at ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ; Professor Shraddha Verma, head of Accounting, Finance and Economics

The agreement was formally signed by Vice-Chancellor Professor Katie Normington and Mattioli Woods Group Chief Executive Officer Ian Mattioli MBE at an event hosted at the company’s Leicester headquarters.

Around 400 staff work in the Leicester office, based on New Walk, with 1,400 employed by the firm nationally.

¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ Vice-Chancellor Professor Katie Normington highlighted the significance of the collaboration for the city and the region.

She said: “Mattioli Woods and ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ have a shared interested in supporting people and an understanding of what it means to be an anchor business in the city.

“This agreement signals a new phase for the university in the way in which it seeks to work with our partners, one of co creation and shared values. I am excited about the opportunities that it will create for our students in preparing them for a world of work which is changing all the time.” 

The partnership was developed by ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ Principal Partnerships Officer Sarah Thomson and Mattioli Woods Chief Operating Officer Iain McKenzie, who will continue to oversee activity as it progresses.

Ms Thomson said: “As Principal Partnership Officer at ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ, I’m delighted to celebrate this new Memorandum of Understanding with Mattioli Woods.

“They are an outstanding Leicester-based partner whose values align closely with our own around ambition, innovation, and a deep commitment to our community. Partnerships like this are critical to the region’s future.

“They bring together two organisations with strong local leadership and a shared belief in nurturing talent, driving opportunity, and supporting sustainable growth across the city and wider East Midlands. This MOU is more than a formal agreement; it is a commitment to working collaboratively to strengthen our region’s skills pipeline, enhance student opportunity, and contribute to Leicester’s continued success.”