Leeds City Region: ‘Building blocks’ needed to become world best

THE Leeds City Region could become a world leader in sectors including healthcare, digital technology and bioscience but needs the ‘building blocks’ in place to achieve its potential, according to Science City York’s Nicola Spence.

The organisation’s chief executive was speaking as part of a discussion on the future of the Leeds City Region’s economic future.

Ms Spence said: “We need more inward investment, to attract some major businesses that others can cluster around.

“We have to work much harder at showing business it is easy to come and work with us, it is easy to access the knowledge we have.

“We need to make it as easy as possible to have the conversations that produce ideas that turn into businesses or collaboration.”

Howard Kew, chief executive of Financial Leeds, agrees to some extent but argues that financial services, which have been a strength of the City Region’s economic growth, should not be downsized.

Mr Kew said: “For all the emphasis on engineering, manufacturing, low carbon – all of which are important – the biggest engine for growth remains financial and professional services.”

A full report of the discussion can be read in the Leeds City Region: A Force for Growth supplement, in association with DLA Piper and Santander. 

The supplement contains expert comment, features and analysis on issues ranging from the economy, to physical regeneration and growth.

[VIDEO: 366]