Nurturing the next generation of engineers and distillers.
As a market-leading specialist in chemical and process engineering, Allen Associates has long recognised the importance of supporting education and industry collaboration.
With a deep commitment to sharing expertise and shaping the future of the sector, the company has forged strong and enduring relationships with leading academic institutions across Scotland and beyond.
Strategic partnerships with Scotland’s leading universities
Allen Associates currently collaborates with a number of prominent educational institutions, including the University of Strathclyde, University of Edinburgh, and University of Stirling. The company also works closely with the Chartered Institute of Brewing and Distilling (CIBD), headquartered at Heriot-Watt University.
The longest standing partnership is with Strathclyde University, where the company has been taking on final year MEng Chemical Engineering students for industrial placements since 2004. Many of these students have gone on to secure full time roles at Allen Associates, with several still part of the team today.
The partnership has grown significantly over the years. In 2013, Allen Associates Managing Director, Scott Allen, began delivering guest lectures on core industry topics such as process design, distillation technology, process safety, and process energy efficiency technology. In 2017, the company’s contribution was formally recognised when Scott was appointed as a Visiting Professor, and in 2023 he joined the university’s Industrial Advisory Board.
Looking ahead, the company is actively developing a new teaching module on process engineering in distilled spirits, due to launch in 2026.
MEng AMIChemE
Bobby joined Allen Associates directly from the University of Strathclyde where he gained a Masters in Chemical and Process Engineering.
Now, as lead process engineer, Bobby works with high profile clients in the UK and overseas, taking projects all the way from initial design to implementation.
At the University of Edinburgh, Allen Associates has supported MEng placements since 2013, providing students with valuable hands-on experience in the chemical engineering sector. This ongoing engagement ensures that students graduate with a strong foundation in real world industrial practices.
The partnership with the Chartered Institute of Brewing and Distilling (CIBD) began in 2020, with Allen Associates contributing to the development of course materials. The company started guest lecturing in 2021, and from 2025, it will also be involved in exam marking, helping maintain academic standards in brewing and distilling education.
Elsewhere, Allen Associates has also contributed to academic initiatives with the University of Stirling, particularly supporting projects in the marketing department, reflecting the company's broader interest in cross disciplinary collaboration.
AA Safety Engineer and Strathclyde Graduate Hamish McMullan presenting the Allen Associates Prize at Strathclyde University’s 2025 Graduation
A long term commitment to education and industry
Allen Associates believes deeply in the value of supporting academic institutions. As Scott Allen explains: “It’s essential that students have the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals working in the field. We want to help train the next generation of engineers and distillers, and these real-world insights are a vital complement to academic learning.”
Beyond educational benefits, the partnerships also deliver strategic advantages. “Being connected with universities helps us attract bright talent and strengthens our recruitment pipeline.” To date, 14 current Allen Associates employees are graduates of the universities the company supports, demonstrating the tangible outcomes of these partnerships.
With over two decades of consistent and growing engagement, Allen Associates has become a model for how industry can play a meaningful and mutually beneficial role in higher education. By investing in people, knowledge, and innovation, the company continues to shape the future of chemical engineering and distillation in Scotland and beyond.
Managing Director,
Allen Associates