Gough & Kelly has secured a six-figure, five-year contract with the University of Sheffield to supply and maintain a new AI-enabled CCTV system across its campus.

The deal builds on the Leeds-based security firm’s long-standing relationship with the university, spanning more than 25 years. The project will involve the installation and ongoing maintenance of over 1,300 CCTV cameras across 150 buildings, all integrated with Avada Connect — an AI-driven software platform that enhances real-time threat detection and surveillance capabilities.

The system enables advanced identification and tracking of individuals and objects, offering functions such as automated alerts, object-specific searches, and facial and vehicle recognition. The goal is to boost incident response times, support campus safety operations, and streamline security workflows for the university’s 100,000 daily users, including students, staff, and visitors.

The new contract aligns with Gough & Kelly’s broader strategy of deploying advanced cloud-based CCTV monitoring systems across public institutions in South Yorkshire. The firm has also worked with Sheffield City Council and local police on the Safer Streets initiative, rolling out digital surveillance infrastructure in key city areas.

Leading wind power specialist Boston Energy has underlined its commitment to empowering women to pursue careers in the wind energy industry. Through its Women into Wind campaign, East Yorkshire-based Boston Energy is supporting more women to enter the rapidly-growing sector and fostering greater gender diversity within the workforce. The initiative aims to encourage more women to consider careers in wind energy by offering hands-on training, mentorship, career development and opportunities to help women thrive and lead in this field. Boston Energy works internationally, supplying skilled technicians to global wind farm developers and operators. The company has worked on more than 100 offshore and onshore wind farms across the world since 2012, with its technicians working on more than 6,000 turbines from pre-assembly and Installation to maintenance. The most recent research from the International Renewable Energy Agency found that just 21 per cent of the global wind industry workforce is made up of women, with only eight per cent holding senior management positions. Boston Energy is committed to playing its part in changing this, by supporting women to enter the industry and benefit from the many highly-rewarding and exciting opportunities available working in wind power. As part of this commitment, female Boston Energy team members recently attended a careers event, staged by the Humber-based Women into Manufacturing and Engineering (WiME) partnership, to showcase careers available to women in the industry. The WiME event, held in Grimsby, a major hub for offshore wind, featured a session aimed at schools and colleges, to capture the imagination of girls and young women beginning their career journey, as well as an open session for women of all ages and backgrounds, who may be considering a career change. Boston Energy’s People Manager Sarah Shires said: “At Boston Energy, we believe that diversity is key to driving innovation and progress, particularly in industries like wind energy, which are essential for our sustainable future. “Through our Women into Wind campaign, we’re dedicated to providing the mentorship, training and opportunities needed to help women thrive and lead within this exciting sector. Our commitment goes beyond recruitment; we aim to create a supportive environment where women can not only enter, but excel, in the wind power industry. “Through our participation in events like the WiME careers day and the implementation of our Women into Wind initiative, Boston Energy continues to promote diversity and inclusion. Attending WiME events is crucial for us because it allows us to connect with and inspire the next generation of talent, especially women, to pursue careers in wind energy.” Boston Energy is based at the Hesslewood Office Park in Hessle and is a leading provider of technical labour, services and training to the global wind energy industry. The business works alongside leading names including Siemens Gamesa, Vensys, GE, SSE and Vestas to supply highly qualified and experienced professionals. Embracing a “one team” philosophy, Boston Energy’s technicians integrate seamlessly with customers’ teams to provide high-quality support with an unwavering commitment to safety excellence. Attending events such as WiME is just one of the ways Boston Energy connects with women of all ages to showcase the exciting opportunities in the wind industry and increase female representation in the sector. The team also works with schools and colleges to capture the interest of girls from a young age, while targeted recruitment schemes are also implemented to make women feel more included and welcome in the industry, with gender neutral language used to make job adverts more accessible. Competent Technician Rebecca Hansen joined Boston Energy just over a year ago is currently working on the Lynn and Inner Dowsing wind farm in the North Sea, with client Siemens Gamesa. She said: “I think a lot of people feel that jobs like these are ‘men’s jobs’ and may be too difficult for women to do, but I think that’s a huge misconception. “There’s no stopping women doing a job in a male-dominated industry – we can do just as well, if not better, and the satisfaction for me in doing so, is just as good as the other benefits the job brings. “I’m very glad to have stepped out of my comfort zone and taken this chance. It changed my life – so to other women thinking about it, I’d say ‘why not take that chance too?’” Boston Energy’s dedication to diversity extends beyond gender, as the company actively supports individuals transitioning from various backgrounds, including armed forces leavers and professionals from other industries, through its Transfer to Wind programme.

UK business confidence dropped sharply in the first quarter of the year, driven by rising tax burdens and growing concern over new US tariffs, according to new data from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

The ICAEW Business Confidence Monitor recorded a reading of -3, the weakest level since the final quarter of 2022 and a marked decline from the previous score of 0.2. The fall reflects growing pessimism among UK firms, particularly over increased costs and the global trade outlook.

More than half of surveyed businesses cited tax as a key challenge, with 56% highlighting it as a growing pressure—an all-time high for the index. The April rise in employer National Insurance contributions added to financial strain, alongside increases in energy bills and the national minimum wage.

The introduction of new US tariffs has also heightened trade uncertainty. Although initially announced as sweeping reciprocal measures, the tariffs were scaled back to a 10% baseline for most countries, including the UK. Nonetheless, the policy shift has added to concerns around global trade costs.

Companies also reported weaker expectations for domestic sales growth this year, forecasting the slowest pace since late 2022. This is despite a modest uptick in sales during the first quarter.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) GDP figures showed an unexpected 0.5% rise in February, following a flat January. However, the broader economic environment remains fragile.

South Yorkshire’s technology sector has seen significant growth over the past decade, with the combined value of local tech companies rising from £370 million in 2014 to £3 billion in 2024, according to new data from Dealroom and TECH SY. The number of active tech firms in the region has climbed to approximately 5,000, employing nearly 20,000 people.

The value of early-stage, pre-exit startups in South Yorkshire has also surged, reaching £737 million in 2024—up from £83 million ten years ago. These figures underscore a rapid acceleration in the region’s innovation economy, particularly in deep tech, which attracted 55% of the more than £200 million raised in venture capital since 2020.

Despite the strong upward trajectory, the report highlights funding disparities. Compared to similarly sized European tech hubs such as Eindhoven and Ghent, South Yorkshire startups are attracting less capital and securing a smaller share from international investors. Just 24% of investment into South Yorkshire startups came from foreign sources, significantly below the national UK average of 55%.

Rotherham has emerged as a local hotspot for tech innovation, with companies such as Xeros, Metalysis, Suiso, Iceotope and IntelliAM cited as standout examples in the region’s expanding ecosystem.