Inward Investment Update

Strong result for Leeds City Region in EY attractiveness survey

In May, the results from the annual EY attractiveness survey, which measures Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) success were released. It showed that Leeds City Region is the driving force behind a strong Yorkshire and the Humber performance - 70 percent of projects landed in Leeds City Region - and rated third overall in England. This result was possible due to the proactive approach from the Invest Leeds City Region team and Local Authority partners. The team also secured a prominent case study in the report which focused on the thriving tech sector.

EY are not the first to recognise the momentum gathering in the Leeds City Region where we have:

  • A growing GVA of �64.6bn, up from �61.4bn in 2013
  • A workforce of 1.4million
  • 230 hectares of Enterprise Zones with excellent connectivity
  • Fastest rate of private sector jobs growth rate in the UK, at six per cent
  • A transition to a knowledge-based economy at a faster rate than anywhere else

Read more about the report here.

Buiding momentum with launch of new MIPIM package

The Invest Leeds City Region team is building on the momentum of recent investment announcements as it prepares for the world�s leading property investment and development conference with the launch of its sponsorship drive for the MIPIM 17/18 season.

Outlining its plans for both MIPIM UK 2017 and MIPIM 2018, the City Region aims to capitalise on the region�s recent successes, which includes being named the leading location in the Northern Powerhouse for FDI by EY in its recent UK Attractiveness Survey; and being selected by global firms such as Burberry and Covance as a location for major new investment.

For more information please click here.

Tech focus - London Tech Week and Global Expansion Summit

Technology firms are increasingly looking to the North, in particular Leeds City Region, to support their expansion plans. Over the last 12 months the growth and expansion of global brands such as Perform Group, Sky and Sky Betting & Gaming, have collectively created in excess of 600 jobs in the region and shone a spotlight on the region�s capabilities. Alongside these expansions, the City Region has also attracted the American owned digital marketing agency Fractl, which launched its first international office in Leeds last August.

Recent investor, Megan Harrison, Director at Fractl, said, ""We're thrilled to have launched Fractl here in Leeds, and we�re poised to extend its success this side of the pond! Fractl is a data-driven content marketing agency, founded in 2012 in Florida.""

To target Tech firms with growth plans, the Invest Leeds City Region team exhibited at both London Tech Week and the Global Expansion Summit, also based in London.

Read more about London Tech Week and the Global Expansion Summit.

Export boost for SMEs - launch of Export Exchange

Businesses in the Leeds City region are to benefit from a unique regional initiative aimed at boosting international trade. ExportExchange is an online and offline network, and unique collaboration, which aims to help businesses within the city region and beyond to increase exports, grow revenues and create employment.

The launch event, held at AQL's Salem Chapel (pictured), saw a host of invited guests from businesses in the Leeds City Region that are successfully exporting come together as �patrons� to back a programme that will pool their expertise and know-how to help local firms that want to develop their overseas trade.

Please click here to read more.

Key Account Management (KAM) pilot scheme

We've strengthened the relationship with internationally owned businesses based in the region as a result of a strong Invest Leeds City Region team effort to pilot a KAM scheme. To date, 19 companies have been visited, 16 of which are in the advanced engineering sector. These meetings have highlighted a number potential inward investment opportunities demonstrating the value and business case for continuing this activity.