MotorServ UK, formerly the largest independent garage in Solihull, has been acquired by Dack Motor Group in a strategic move designed to stabilise operations and protect jobs amid a downturn in the automotive sector.

Established in 2014, MotorServ UK grew to a £9.3m turnover business by 2022, offering MOTs, servicing, and community-focused initiatives. However, an 85% drop in used car transactions in 2023 and a 45% decline in servicing revenue over two years forced a shift in direction. The founder has exited the business, triggering the sale.

The Solihull site will continue operating under Dack Motor Group, which already runs facilities in Lincoln, Northampton, and Coventry. Dack plans to integrate the new site with upgraded systems and processes, and a rebrand is expected.

As part of the acquisition, all jobs at MotorServ UK are being retained, and further roles may be created under the new ownership. Once the transition is complete, MotorServ UK Ltd will be formally liquidated, with Dack assuming all staff and assets.

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.