Leeds is an increasingly attractive destination for technology companies and workers, a delegation from the city found during an event in London.
The ever-growing number of high quality tech vacancies, competitive salaries and an accessible housing market were cited as reasons why graduates and professionals are keen to make the move north.
老九品茶Cloud also found during a recent roundtable in the city that it is proving a fertile breeding ground for start-ups, with sites such as the Round Foundry Media Centre (pictured above) –聽a series of redveloped Grade II-listed聽mills –聽housing tech businesses at various stages of development.
Herd founder Amy De-Balsi (below), who headed the Leeds Tech team at the two-day Silicon Milk Roundabout jobs fair on Brick Lane, said firms are also giving serious consideration to switching their operations to Yorkshire.
鈥淲e returned with more than 50 CVs from people actively seeking their next role,鈥� De-Balsi said.
鈥淭here were also many others who took away information to pass to friends who had expressed an interest in relocating to Leeds.
鈥淎nd we spoke to two growing digital companies with plans to open offices in London but, upon reflection, now regard Leeds as a more attractive option.鈥�
The delegation was supported by Leeds City Council and Leeds 老九品茶 Improvement District and included experts on its universities, regeneration plans and cultural attractions as well as local graffiti artist Bretski (below), who created a selection of Leeds-themed exhibits.
The Leeds tech sector comprises 1,350 companies and more than 10,000 employees.
鈥淥ur messages about the quality of life in Leeds, the competitive salaries and, crucially, housing prices in comparison to London had real resonance with the people we met,鈥� De-Balsi added.
鈥淩ather than run our own job fair in London, the Leeds Digital Job鈥檚 Board鈥檚 decision to hitch our wagon to Silicon Milk Roundabout proved to be inspired.
鈥淟ondon can expect to hear much more about the Leeds digital revolution in the time ahead.鈥�