Mayor backs new tech hub initiative

A West Yorkshire technology initiative has been launched to strengthen the region’s digital economy and support ambitions to create one of the UK’s leading tech hubs.

West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin has backed the launch of Tech West Yorkshire, a new organisation that will operate across Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Calderdale and Kirklees.

The initiative will bring together technology businesses, universities, investors, entrepreneurs and skills providers under a single regional banner, with the aim of strengthening collaboration and supporting economic growth across the region.

Its launch comes as West Yorkshire’s digital economy continues to expand. 

According to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, around 9700 digital, tech and AI businesses operate across the region, employing more than 50,000 people.

Leeds has emerged as one of the UK's fastest-growing digital centres, home to more than 3500 technology businesses and the third-largest concentration of high-growth firms outside London. 

The city’s tech sector is also growing significantly faster than the national average, with software development and cybersecurity among its strongest-performing areas.

Rather than replacing existing networks and organisations, Tech West Yorkshire is designed to strengthen links between them while creating a more unified regional presence.

Plans include promoting technology events across all five districts, helping businesses access finance and export opportunities, building stronger connections between companies and universities, and encouraging more people into digital careers.

The initiative will focus on key growth sectors including artificial intelligence, fintech, cybersecurity, healthtech and digital infrastructure.

Mayor Brabin said: “From our Northern Square Mile of FinTech firms to our multi-million-pound HealthTech Investment Zone, our great region is building its reputation as a leading digital, tech and AI powerhouse.
 
“By bringing together our world-class talent, ambitious businesses and innovative universities, we will help companies across West Yorkshire to flourish, supporting the creation of good, skilled jobs.
 
“With our Local Growth Plan backing our fastest growing sectors to grow even faster, and our Business Growth Hub supporting all of our local businesses to succeed, we’re building a stronger, better off West Yorkshire powered by the jobs and businesses of the future.”

A regional brand and marketing platform is also planned to help promote West Yorkshire’s technology sector to investors, businesses and international audiences, while organisers hope the initiative will eventually become self-sustaining through private-sector support and sponsorship.

Deb Hetherington, director of Leeds Digital, said the new organisation had been created to reflect the scale and maturity of the region’s digital sector.

She added: “There is already a huge amount of good work happening across West Yorkshire, but too often businesses and communities have operated separately from one another. 

“The opportunity now is to build stronger connections across the region and make it easier for people to collaborate, share ideas and create opportunities together.

“We want businesses in Bradford to feel connected to businesses in Leeds, Wakefield or Calderdale. 

“We want start-ups to have better access to investors and universities, and we want people entering the sector to feel there is a strong regional community around them. 

“If we can create those connections consistently over time, the whole region benefits.”

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