Leeds is now the 2nd largest Metropolitan district in England, with a population of 792,525 (2019) following a meteoric rise over recent years.
In recent years, it has been the Top Ranking English City to live in in the Money Supermarket Quality of UK Living Survey, as average salaries rose to £29,767, with weekly costs of living remaining relatively modest at £377 per week. In terms of 'real' unemployment rates, Leeds had the lowest level, except Edinburgh, when compared against 14 other major cities in the UK. In 2023, it was the UK's fastest-growing City.
Around 480,000 work in the city, and 1.9 million within the Leeds City Region with over 108,000 companies generating more than 5% of England's total economic output, which puts its economy in front of at least 8 other European countries!
Leeds is now home to a whole multitude of service and industrial sectors, including education, health, scientific, print and publication, creative, digital and retail.
It is one of the largest business centres in the United Kingdom, with around 343,000 people employed in the financial, legal, business support and professional sectors in the Leeds City region, with an estimated output valued at £13 billion per year. This includes over 200 accountancy and 180 legal firms, making it arguably the major English financial centre outside of London.
Interestingly, Cambridge Economic Associates' forecast of growth for the Leeds City region, sees a rate that is 69% higher in the 2015-30 timeframe compared with the 2000-15 timeframe. This is projected as a low-end estimate, due in part to the strength of the city's growing financial sector.
Professor Julia Bennell, Executive Dean, of Leeds University Business School commented "The Leeds economy, and that of the wider region, is well positioned for the future. Leeds has traditionally been strong in areas such as manufacturing, chemicals, education, engineering, finance, and law, and we are now also sector-leading in the digital and creative industries, medical technology and business services. Looking ahead, fintech, data analytics and digital industries will be key areas of growth for the city."
Infact, the County of Yorkshire has seen a 48% growth in its digital sector in recent years, making it one of the fastest-growing tech regions in the UK. Leeds was the top-ranked city in the 'UK Tech Town Index 2020'.
It is also hoped that planned improvements to the Leeds City Region transport infrastructure, including HS2, and strategic new train stations at White Rose Office Park, Thorpe Park, and Leeds Bradford International Airport Parkway, will further aid growth along with city centre regeneration and out-of-town investment opportunities; and the continuing strength of Leeds City Region's commercial property market.
Some of the heavyweights include Asda, Channel 4, Yorkshire Bank, Burberry, Reed Smith, Sky Bet, Arla Foods, The NHS, First Direct, Trans Union, Novuna, Centrica and Dr Oetker, all of whom have significant operations within the city. HMRC have also advised of their decision to locate sizeable operations within the city.
On a smaller, but still significant, scale, the rapid growth of start-ups and SMEs within the city has seen some of the region's Brightest Businesses (The Telegraph), become significant employers in the city. These include Resolver, The Oakland Group, Burendo, TPP and Zenith.
Logically then, Leeds seems a pretty good place to be based.
But if you need a bit more persuasion...
If this is your forte, Leeds is up there to be ranked with. It now boasts a flagship John Lewis store, Harvey Nichols, Louis Vuitton, and a host of shopping experiences in the shape of the stunning Victoria Quarter. The recently built Victoria Gate shopping centre (pictured above) and the Trinity Centre demonstrate the relative wealth and prosperity within the West Yorkshire hub.
The Lonely Planet even titled it "The Knightsbridge of the North".
The five universities in the city and a string of other further education colleges and top-ranking private and public schools provide a rich source of talent for organisations of all sizes, with many Leeds-born people choosing to return home after many years of working and living away.
Leeds boasts a variety of top-class museums and galleries, including The Royal Armouries (pictured), The City Museum and The Thackery Museum. The First Direct Arena attracts a host of top musical performers, with Leeds City Varieties, The Grand Theatre, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Opera North and the Northern Ballet all being based in the city.
In addition to the cultural delights mentioned above, there are a range of Michelin-starred fine eating establishments in the city, as well as a host of well-known sporting teams, including Leeds United, Rugby League side Leeds Rhinos, Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Rugby Union side Yorkshire Carnegie.
In addition, Leeds-born Olympic athletes, the Brownlee Brothers have helped promote Leeds as the heart of the World Triathlon Series and helped to inspire the annual Tour De Yorkshire Cycling event which has followed the footsteps of the Yorkshire stages of the Tour De France.
Known locally as God's own county, within half an hour of the hustle and bustle city centre, you can be on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales (pictured above), or experiencing Ilkley Moor, Fountains Abbey, the historic City of York, or the delightful town of Harrogate.
From Bridlington up to Whitby, Yorkshire's coastline is also impressive, with countryside, white sandy beaches, tiny fishing villages, and bustling traditional seaside resorts all within easy reach.
Professor Julia Bennell, Executive Dean of Leeds University Business School, said: "Leeds is a great place to work, study or run a business. The standard of living is fantastic - there's a vibrant social and cultural life, the property is affordable, the city is surrounded by beautiful countryside and the economy is strong and diverse. Leeds is the largest centre for financial and legal services in the UK outside London, and has one of the largest concentrations of higher education institutions in Europe."
Richard Bickers, regeneration specialist, said: "The Leeds City Region has a wealth of unique strengths. With its large population, great career opportunities, good transport links, vibrant city centres and fantastic countryside surrounding it, the region offers fantastic opportunities rarely found elsewhere in the UK. These assets make Leeds a desirable place to live and work, as the region equips its people to live a brilliant quality of life while excelling both professionally and personally."
Martin Port, Founder & Chairman of Leeds Headquartered business, BigChange, said of Leeds; "It is unique because it feels like a big city, but it's actually condensed and very leafy. There are good links to London and good-quality people to hire."
Our own Managing Director, Lucy Walker (pictured above) commented, "As a Leeds girl, it has been amazing to the positive and relentless development of my city during the 32 years I have had the business, from both an economic and social perspective. The signs are very positive that this will only continue in the years ahead, and Leeds will remain a key Northern powerhouse within the UK economy. This is reflected in the impressive range of clients we are now dealing with within the area and the range of roles and opportunities they have brought."
Well, if we can help any further, either with securing a new role in the city, a different role, or your search for new employees, please take a look at our website and contact us.
We have placed and filled over 100,000 temp and permanent assignments over the last 30 years so have a range of techniques, ideas and platforms which could help you. Why not call us on 0113 367 2880 to have a conversation with one of our team? Alternatively, drop us an email here or check out our Testimonials and Case Studies.