West Yorkshire's Economic Evolution: Driving Growth Across Tech, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Green Energy
This is the first of our West Yorkshire Growth articles, highlighting how the region has transformed into a powerhouse for tech, healthcare, manufacturing, creative industries, and green energy — now contributing £70 billion annually to the UK economy. Today’s article looks at the key sectors driving this growth and the role recruitment plays in supporting the region’s success.
West Yorkshire's Economic Evolution: Driving Growth Across Tech, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Green Energy
This is the first of our West Yorkshire Growth articles, highlighting how the region has transformed into a powerhouse for tech, healthcare, manufacturing, creative industries, and green energy — now contributing £70 billion annually to the UK economy. Today’s article looks at the key sectors driving this growth and the role recruitment plays in supporting the region’s success.
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Working in recruitment over the past twenty years, it’s been fascinating to watch the West Yorkshire region evolve from its industrial heritage into a thriving hub of innovation and investment. This transformation is backed by solid data and success stories that show just how dynamic the local economy has become.
In recent years, West Yorkshire’s economy has grown significantly, with Leeds at the centre. Our research shows that the Leeds City Region contributes around £70 billion annually to the UK economy, making it the largest economic area outside of London. According to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the region supports over 1.4 million jobs and is home to more than 100,000 businesses.
We’ve seen the region attracting companies across a diverse range of sectors. In digital technology, Leeds has been identified as one of the UK’s top tech hubs, employing over 45,000 people in digital roles and hosting a rapidly growing startup ecosystem. Tech Nation ranked Leeds among the top 5 UK cities for tech investment, with the region attracting £288 million in tech venture capital investment in 2022 alone.
We have seen Advanced Manufacturing undergo a substantial shift, driven by investment in automation, robotics, and sustainability. The sector employs over 144,000 people in Yorkshire and the Humber, with many firms investing in low-carbon and digital manufacturing technologies.
The healthcare and life sciences sector is another cornerstone of regional growth. The Leeds Academic Health Partnership brings together universities, the NHS, and industry to deliver innovation. Leeds itself is home to the UK’s largest teaching hospital and a growing number of medtech firms. The region contributes over £5 billion annually to the UK health economy, with a strong focus on biotechnology and digital health.
It’s equally exciting to see West Yorkshire’s creative industries gaining momentum. According to Screen Yorkshire, the screen industries alone contributed £260 million in GVA to the region's economy in 2021, bolstered by productions like Gentleman Jack and The Railway Children Return filming in the area.
Finally, sustainable energy and green technologies are becoming key drivers of regional development. Projects like the £200 million H21 hydrogen trial in Leeds and significant investments in wind and solar energy show the area’s commitment to becoming a net-zero carbon economy.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be speaking with business leaders working in these high-growth sectors to learn more about how they are shaping the bright business future of West Yorkshire — and how recruitment continues to play a pivotal role in supporting this growth.
For more details on any of the details discussed, or to find out how we can help your business with their Executive Search needs, please contact:
Amanda O'Neill
07874 855 669
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