The University of Sheffield has been recognised in the 2025 Knowledge Exchange Framework for its collaboration with businesses, public bodies, and community organisations. The assessment highlights the University’s success in translating research into practical solutions, supporting regional economic growth, and engaging diverse stakeholders.

Sheffield ranks highly for commercialising research and generating intellectual property. Over the past five years, the University has launched 29 spinout companies, including Phlux Technology, which develops infrared sensor systems, and Crucible Therapeutics, a biotechnology firm that recently secured £2.3 million from Innovate UK to develop treatments for Motor Neuron Disease.

The University’s partnerships extend to multinational companies including Boeing, Rolls-Royce, McLaren Automotive, and GE Healthcare, where collaboration focuses on advanced manufacturing, clean energy technology, and medical innovation, such as AI-powered MRI systems.

Sheffield also engages with community and public sector partners. Initiatives include CiviAct, addressing inequalities among minoritised children and young people, and Sheffield Policy Campus, which combines student development with civil service collaborations. The University has contributed to urban regeneration projects, cultural festivals, and initiatives like the £15.8 million Future High Streets Fund.

Runway Park, a 100-acre expansion of the University’s Innovation District, forms a hub for investment and job creation, leveraging research and industry partnerships to stimulate local economic growth. The KEF results underline Sheffield’s combined focus on commercial, social, and cultural impact, positioning it among England’s leading institutions for knowledge exchange.

Jenx Ltd, a Sheffield-based medical manufacturer, has announced the closure of its South Yorkshire production facility, resulting in 47 redundancies. The company will now concentrate on its UK distribution arm, Jiraffe, which remains operational and continues to expand.

Existing Jenx products will remain fully supported, and the company has confirmed ongoing collaboration with global partners to ensure continued service for the devices already in use. Jiraffe will maintain its partnerships, including with Rifton, supplying products and services to children, carers, therapists, and funding bodies across the UK.

The company has not provided a timeline for the closure but emphasised that maintaining product support and customer continuity is a priority.

This move marks a shift from manufacturing to distribution, reflecting a strategic refocus on areas with long-term growth potential within the UK market.

A multibillion-pound action plan to supercharge West Yorkshire’s creative industries has been approved by regional leaders at a meeting of the Combined Authority in Leeds.

In addition, Mayor Brabin has signed an agreement to boost access to grassroots sport and physical activity with Sport England.

The two major milestones cement the Mayor’s commitment to championing and investing in culture, heritage and sport, as a way of growing the economy and putting jobs, opportunity and hope at the heart of the region’s future.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “This is a great moment for West Yorkshire. With record investment in our creative industries and grassroots sport, we’ll build happier communities and boost jobs and growth.

“This bold new culture plan, combined with our flagship agreement with Sport England, will help more of our young people to live healthier lives, pursue creative careers, and contribute to a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire.”

Regional leaders approved the first-ever Creative Industries Cluster Action Plan for West Yorkshire at a full meeting of the Combined Authority.

It sets out a vision to grow the region’s creative economy from £2.2 billion to £4.1 billion by 2035, by backing freelancers and creative businesses, creating happier, more vibrant communities, and putting more money in people’s pockets.

It outlines how 50,000 new jobs will be created in sectors such as fashion, textiles, music, screen and games, with actions to unlock affordable workspaces and improve access to skills training and finance. The new plan highlights Mayor Brabin’s role in shaping the national Creative Industries Sector Plan and aligns with One Creative North – a collaboration of Northern Mayors, Arts Council England, Creative PEC, Public Service Broadcasters and other partners.

With 70% of the UK’s creative industries concentrated in London and the South East, One Creative North aims to nurture, sustain, retain and champion local talent, and add £10bn to the North’s economy by 2035. It follows West Yorkshire being named as one of six national “priority places” for the creative industries between 2026 and 2029, with a share of £150 million to be received. This government funding will help to accelerate new initiatives, grow existing programmes, attract private investment and create space for new ideas.

Amentum, a global engineering and technology services firm, plans to hire 3,000 staff in the UK over the next four years, driven by growth in nuclear power and defence projects.

The company is a key partner on Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C nuclear stations and contributes technical support for small modular reactors and fusion research. It is expanding UK operations to meet projected demand, aiming for a 50% increase in headcount. Investments in digital engineering, AI, and automation are also planned to enhance delivery of critical infrastructure projects.

In defence, Amentum provides safety and technology services for the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarines, manages the UK training estate for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, and offers programme management and engineering support for the Atomic Weapons Establishment.

Stronger UK–US coordination in nuclear technology is expected to support future capacity growth and skills development in the sector, reinforcing the company’s cross-Atlantic operations.

The expansion highlights opportunities for skilled engineers, project managers, and technical specialists across energy and defence sectors, reflecting broader government investment in nuclear power and national security infrastructure.