Did you know that Leeds is officially the UK’s biggest tech cluster outside London?
The West Yorkshire city has established specialisms in FinTech and HealthTech, while its universities are highly regarded. And in Stuart Clarke MBE, it has a true champion of its business credentials.
Clarke built the annual Leeds Digital Festival into a powerhouse programme of more than 200 events in his 10 years as director. From this year, he has handed the baton to Deb Hetherington, although he remains in a chair role.
Hetherington was joined on stage by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin at a launch event for the 11th edition of the festival last night at the city centre offices of headline sponsor CGI. They celebrated the findings of company database The Data City that there are now 853 tech companies based in the city, more than any other local authority outside the capital – and ahead of Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham.
The study showed that the sector’s growth is also outpacing the national picture: Leeds tech companies are expanding at an estimated 8.3% a year, compared with a UK average of 8.1%, while almost one in eight (13%) are classified as high-growth, posting annual growth rates above 20%.
Altogether, Leeds’ tech sector is estimated to contribute £1.67bn in gross value added. And as Brabin pointed out, Leeds is incredibly successful in keeping its graduates in the city – a key asset when building a technology powerhouse.
Leeds Digital Festival is the UK’s largest open-platform technology festival and the 11th edition will convene thousands of founders, software engineers, corporate leaders and international investors from 21st September to 2nd October.
“Stepping into the director role for my first full festival is an absolute honour,” said Hetherington ahead of the packed programme. “Leeds Digital Festival has established an extraordinary platform, and today Leeds stands as a genuine powerhouse for tech innovation.
“This 11th edition is designed to showcase the massive economic impact our regional sector creates. We are bringing together local visionaries and international voices to inspire the next generation, demonstrate the sheer range of tech careers available here, and fuel long-term commercial growth across Yorkshire.”
Hetherington, who estimates that around half of this year’s events are focused on AI, told me later that growth for the festival over the coming decade means extending its remit to promote events in other West Yorkshire towns and cities such as Bradford, Huddersfield, Wakefield and Halifax.
Given the success achieved in Leeds, you would be foolish to bet against them.