21- Consultancy

1. Consultancy activity is defined as the provision of expert advice or services to external clients undertaken through a contract for payment. It does not normally include external examining, refereeing and guest lecturing at other Higher and Further Education institutions.
2. The University encourages staff to be involved in consultancy in order to contribute to the University's mission of transferring knowledge, developing business and community relations and increasing income from non-regulated sources. Consultancy can also help to develop research collaborations and maintain longer-term relationships with funders.
3. There are three types of consultancy recognised by the University:
   • University Supported Consultancy: work delivered with contracting and invoicing support from the University which may involve the use of University facilities and/or Intellectual Property, which is undertaken outside workload allocation.
   • University Led Consultancy: work directed by the University and undertaken by staff during contracted hours/included in workload allocations.
   • Private Consultancy: work identified and delivered by staff in their own time which does not draw on the University’s reputation or utilise its Intellectual Property, facilities or support for any aspect of the work.
4. The purpose of the requirements below is to ensure that:
   • consultancy is undertaken on a professional, business basis;
   • the commercial interests of the University are protected; and
   • potential conflicts of interest are avoided.

University Supported and University Led Consultancy

5. Unless otherwise expressly agreed under the Private Consultancy section below, all consultancy must be managed through Exeter Innovation, following guidance and procedures set out by the University.
6. Staff engaged in University Supported Consultancy and University Led Consultancy must follow procedures and guidance issued by the University, including expectations regarding:
   • Limits on the volume of consultancy which can be undertaken each year.
   • Additional remuneration (paid through the University payroll) for engagement in University Supported Consultancy which is undertaken outside workload allocation.
   • Normal contractual expectations (eg research and teaching for staff in the academic job families) being met before additional payments will be permitted.
7. At the discretion of the University, and subject to subject to HMRC requirements and University Financial Regulations, members of staff may waive agreed payments into a Personal Development Account.

Private Consultancy

8. The University permits staff to engage in private consultancy subject to consideration of the issues below and guidance provided by the University:
   1. The member of staff disclosing all private consultancy in accordance with procedures specified by the University.
   2. The member of staff undertaking the private consultancy in their own time and without using any University resources, facilities, equipment or Intellectual Property.
   3. There being no conflict of interest to the University as assessed by the University.
   4. There being no detriment to the employee’s work at the University. To this end, normally full-time staff should not undertake more than 10 days’ private consultancy each year.
   5. The member of staff making their own arrangements for managing the work including, insurance, invoicing, payment of any tax etc.
   6. The member of staff not using the name/brand of the University and making clear to their client that they are undertaking the consultancy on a private basis.
   7. Following other procedures and guidance set out by the University, including confirming to the University that they have their own professional indemnity insurance and indemnify the University from liability and risk.

For more guidance see the Exeter Innovation Consultancy Hub.