As the UK’s second largest regional economy and the leading centre for financial services outside of London, Leeds City Region is a prime location for financial and professional services.
Leeds City Region is a leading hub for financial, professional and businesses services contributing £19.8 billion GVA and employing over 300,000 people.
As the UK’s second centre for banking, over 28,500 are employed in major banks and building societies.
The largest digital bank in Europe, Lloyds Banking Group employs over 8,000, its largest footprint outside of London and home to the Digital Transformation Lab. first direct bank is headquartered in Leeds and was the UK’s first bank with a twitter account.
Three of the UK’s top five Building Societies are headquartered here (Yorkshire, Leeds and Skipton).
The Big Four UK accountancy firms PWC, EY, KMPG and Deloitte each have major operations offering diverse service lines to their clients in our region and beyond. There is also a wealth of mid tier and niche firm to support growing businesses.
PWC recently opened a new Assurance Centre in Bradford which will employ up to 225 people.
Leeds has Britain’s fastest growing legal sector, and has established itself as the country’s second-biggest law hub behind London, with the sector worth around £300 million pounds a year.
Major legal services firms including DLA Piper, Squire Patton Boggs, Addleshaw Goddard, Eversheds, Pinsent Mason and Walker Morris have substantial presences in the city.
As well as a strength in middle and back office operations and support services, Leeds law firms offer the same range of services as London-based firms, at considerably lower fees, conducting legal work for UK and global clients.
With access to hard economic facts, case studies from leading companies and business support packages available, find out how we can help you make the case for investing in West Yorkshire. Contact our experts for more information. All of our services are complementary, confidential and tailored to your needs.
Global law firm Reed Smith has announced that it will be launching ‘Reed Smith Global Solutions’ with an initial base in Leeds at the building ‘Platform’.
Diversity and talent makes Halifax a fantastic location