Leeds Beckett University Partners with Shipley Manufacturer on AI

Leeds Beckett University launches two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Specialised Covers, the Shipley-based manufacturer making protective covers for McLaren, Bentley, and the Ministry of Defence

Leeds Beckett University has partnered with Shipley-based Specialised Covers in a two-year innovation programme aimed at accelerating the growth of the family-owned textile manufacturer. The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), part-funded by Innovate UK, will see Leeds Beckett University marketing and business experts work alongside the company to introduce AI-driven tools, expand into international markets, and diversify its product range. Specialised Covers designs and manufactures bespoke protective textile covers for vehicles, caravans, defence, motorsport, and garden equipment from its Shipley base.

Why This Matters For Leeds

This is a practical example of what university-business collaboration looks like for a Leeds-region SME. Specialised Covers is a family-owned manufacturer in Shipley making British-made products for clients ranging from McLaren to the Ministry of Defence. The KTP gives it access to Leeds Beckett’s marketing and AI expertise. For other manufacturers and SMEs across Leeds and West Yorkshire, it’s a model worth knowing about, Innovate UK part-funds these partnerships specifically to help smaller businesses access university knowledge.

What the Leeds Beckett University Partnership Will Deliver

The KTP is led by Dr Catherine Ashworth, Senior Lecturer in Global and Strategic Marketing at Leeds Business School, with support from three further academics specialising in digital marketing, governance, and AI. The programme has four main objectives: introducing strategic marketing and AI-driven tools to improve efficiency and customer engagement, expanding into new international markets, diversifying product offerings across sectors, and creating a culture of knowledge-sharing across the organisation. An experienced graduate will be recruited as a KTP Associate to manage the project full-time from within the Specialised Covers team, with support from the Leeds Beckett academics.

“Through the KTP with Leeds Beckett, we are looking forward to building on our strong brand and reputation to grow in both the UK and international markets. This long-term growth will be underpinned by embracing innovation. By integrating new, cutting-edge AI tools and advanced digital technologies, we aim to improve our efficiency, customer engagement and long-term resilience.”

— Katie Fishwick, Managing Director, Specialised Covers

From Shipley to McLaren

Specialised Covers has built a strong reputation for British-made bespoke protective covers across a range of sectors. Its client base spans motorsport, including covers for McLaren race cars through United Autosports alongside luxury vehicles from Ferrari and Bentley, caravan covers, defence applications, and garden equipment. The company says it wants to use the partnership to build on that reputation and move into new international markets while strengthening its digital capability. The KTP model is designed to bridge the gap between university research and commercial application, with Innovate UK providing part-funding to reduce the cost to the business.