Inward investment “created 4,300 jobs” last year in Leeds

Kersten England

More than 4,300 jobs were created in the Leeds area between 2016 and 2017 through inward investment according to the region’s Local Enterprise Partnership.

3,990 jobs were created in 2016 with a further 330 confirmed for this year, it said.

International companies including US-owned Perform Group which created 100 jobs last December are finding Leeds the right location to expand.

Closer to home, Sky Bet revealed they were to double their presence in Leeds earlier this year, creating 150 jobs, and more recently fashion house Burberry announced a centre of excellence in Leeds, taking up 46,000 sq ft at 6 Queen Street to house 300 staff.

US-owned bio-pharma leader Covance who will open a new facility at the National-Agri Innovation Food Campus in York.

John Ratliff, chief executive officer of Covance said: “Covance is a recognised leader in providing global BioPharmCMC solutions, in a large part due to its reputation for operational, service and scientific excellence at our Harrogate facility. By investing in the Harrogate BioPharmCMC expansion into nearby York, we continue to strengthen our leadership in this space.”

Kersten England, chief executive of Bradford MDC and LEP Lead Chief Executive for Business Investment and Growth said:“This is a solid performance for inward investment job creation and we have the fastest rate of private sector jobs growth nationally. It confirms the international and national private sector confidence in the region and that our investment in skills, infrastructure and services to investors is clearly paying off.”

The figures cited in this release are based on annual research conducted by the Leeds City region Enterprise Partnership to track new investments into the City Region.

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