North 2024 Highlights: Celebrating Innovation, Sustainability, and Growth Across Sectors

Award-Winning Expertise

North kicked off 2024 in style, winning the prestigious 'Security Installer of the Year' title at the 24th annual Security & Fire Excellence Awards. The accolade celebrates North's standout expertise in CCTV and Control Room transformations for clients across the UK, including Hammersmith & Fulham Council, the City of Edinburgh Council, and more. This award cements North's reputation for delivering innovative and impactful solutions in the Security and Fire sectors.

Leadership Expansion

North strengthened its leadership team in 2024 with the appointment of Andrew Foster as the new Managing Director for Public Services. With a distinguished career spanning local government, Capita, and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, Andrew brings invaluable expertise to his role. Tasked with guiding North’s Public Services division, Andrew is supporting our public sector customers to embrace innovative approaches to tackle mounting challenges in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Global Sustainability Recognition

North achieved another significant milestone at the start of 2024, earning a Silver Medal from EcoVadis, the leading global standard for business sustainability ratings. Ranking in the top 15% of organisations worldwide and the 92nd percentile of all companies assessed in the past year, North’s commitment to sustainability is clear. This recognition highlights our dedication to reducing environmental impact and fostering ethical, sustainable practices, both internally and through the innovative solutions we provide to customers.

Brand Transformation

In February, North unveiled a refreshed brand vision centred on "Stronger Networks, smarter places," marking an exciting evolution in our strategic focus. With an emphasis on four key sectors—public services, enterprise, financial services, and defence and justice—the new direction leverages North’s expertise in wired and wireless networks alongside innovative smart systems. This transformation strengthens North’s ability to deliver bespoke solutions for smart cities, workplaces, and buildings, enabling customers to operate more efficiently, safely, and sustainably.

Smart Property Management

North partnered with Wandle Housing Association in to implement its Tempus Smart Property Management technology and the Daizy IoT platform, revolutionising how property disrepair issues are handled. By using sensor-based IoT technology to monitor environmental factors like temperature and humidity, Wandle achieved £400,000 in savings within a year while prioritising tenant health and wellbeing. This data-driven approach enables proactive interventions, such as detecting leaks early to prevent major damage, ensuring the upkeep of affordable, quality housing across South London and enhancing tenant satisfaction.

Supporting Net Zero Ambitions

In the summer, North secured £1 million in contracts to support the Port of Aberdeen's ambitious goal of becoming the UK’s first net zero port by 2040. Enhancements include upgraded CCTV and security systems, a private 5G network, public Wi-Fi, and IoT solutions to improve safety, connectivity, and sustainability. These technologies, alongside 4K marine-grade cameras and advanced video analytics, boost security and operational efficiency while enabling innovative applications like drones and smart bollards. By modernising infrastructure, North is helping the port achieve its sustainability targets and further its role in supporting renewable energy projects in the North Sea.

Cutting-Edge Surveillance

North partnered with Westminster City Council in to deploy a £1.2 million state-of-the-art CCTV network designed to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime. Featuring AI-powered audio and noise detection, the new system enables real-time responses to incidents while providing crucial supporting footage. The CCTV network integrates with Hammersmith & Fulham Council's control centre, fostering collaboration, reducing costs, and creating new roles to bolster community safety. This initiative builds on North’s long-standing partnership with LBHF, which has already contributed to over 500 arrests in 2023, demonstrating the transformative impact of advanced surveillance technology.

Charitable Commitment

In September 2024, North proudly sponsored the Tour de BT charity cycling event for the second consecutive year, helping to raise £23,758 for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). The three-day, 300-kilometre challenge saw participants from North’s Defence and Justice team and partners cycling to support the RNLI’s vital life-saving work along the UK’s coastlines. Despite unpredictable weather, the riders showcased incredible determination, and the funds raised will directly aid the RNLI’s mission. North’s involvement highlights its commitment to corporate social responsibility and supporting charitable initiatives that make a tangible difference in communities.

Smarter Campus Transformation

North secured a £1 million contract to transform the University of Central Lancashire into a smart campus through state-of-the-art technology. This project involves upgrading the analogue CCTV system to a hybrid cloud-based platform powered by Genetec, a first for the UK. The integrated system will enhance security for over 38,000 students and staff by streamlining monitoring, alarms, and management into a single interface, ensuring faster responses. With around 250 cameras being replaced or integrated, the initiative supports the University’s goal of a smarter, safer, and more sustainable campus, laying a foundation for future technological advancements.

Sponsoring Defence Sector Celebrations

North’s Defence and Justice team had a memorable evening as the Network Sponsor at the Defence Winter Dinner hosted by techUK. The event provided a platform for meaningful connections and celebration of achievements in the Defence sector. Attendees had the privilege of hearing keynote speeches from Ambassador H.E. Mr. Viljar Lubi of Estonia and Denys Deko from the Ukrainian Embassy, who discussed the future of AI in defence and the need for rapid innovation. North’s involvement underscores its commitment to advancing technological solutions in the Defence and Justice sectors and supporting crucial networking opportunities.

Supplying Cloud Innovation to the Public Sector

North has successfully secured a place on the G-Cloud 14 framework, enhancing its accessibility to public sector organisations through the government Digital Marketplace. This appointment enables North to offer its specialised expertise in building smarter, more sustainable places across the UK. Under Lot 3: Cloud Support, North’s innovative IoT solutions, such as the Intelligent Housing IoT Solution and Scotland’s national IoT network, are designed to meet the unique needs of the public sector. These services include proactive housing management, seamless IoT connectivity, and scalable applications for smart buildings, military bases, and cities. This framework supports digital transformation, operational efficiencies, and safer living and working environments for government organisations.