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7 Reasons we love to do Business in Leeds

Posted by Oliver Corrigan on Feb 8, 2016 8:30:00 AM
Oliver Corrigan
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    “Leeds is probably the best place in the UK to be working right now.” Now there’s a statement and it was one made just this time last year by BahGum, a social network for careers, companies and job seekers.

    It’s no secret that in recent years more and more of Britain’s top employers have been setting up a home in Leeds. And being home to the likes of HSBC subsidiary First Direct, Yorkshire Bank, more than 200 law firms, not to mention a myriad of innovative technology companies and start-ups, it’s hardly surprising Leeds has gained a justifiable crown of being regarded as being probably the best place in the UK to work right now, where jobs are “plentiful, meaningful and successful.”

    Carrwood Park takes a look at how and why Leeds has become widely known as the ‘London of the North’ and whether you’re starting a business in Leeds or are already well-established, seven reasons why it makes sense to do business in Leeds.


 

 

  • Leeds thriving business history

Even in the medieval times, Leeds showed entrepreneurial vision. Medieval Leeds was flourishing, with carpenters, bakers, butchers, blacksmiths and a weekly market, crafting a colourful commercial medieval landscape. Though the main industry in Leeds in medieval times was wool-weaving.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the woollen cloth industry started to flourish in Leeds, which escalated and grew more prosperous throughout the 17th century. The city began to experiment in other industries and in 1770 Leeds pottery scene began. As Local Histories writes, craftsmen such as clockmakers, booksellers, jewellers and coach makers, all set up shop in Leeds.

During the early 1900s, engineering and tailoring were amongst the many industries in Leeds prospering, with big brands like Montague Burtons and Hepworth’s making Leeds their home. By the end of the century Leeds had also become a primary hub in the UK for banking, insurance, pubs and hotels, and remains so today.

  • Leeds Business School

Another reason doing business in Leeds makes sense can be pinned on the presence of Leeds Business School. Leeds Business School is a faculty of the University of Leeds and is a member of the Russel Group of research-intensive universities. The School of Business and Economic Studies was established in 1997 and the Faculty of Business in 2003.

This ‘triple accredited’ Business School is placed in the top one percent of business schools across the globe and according to the findings of the Research Excellence Framework 2014, Leeds Business School is a top ten UK business and management research institution.

Each year, Leeds Business School sees undergraduates, Masters, MBA, PhD and executive education level students from over 80 countries graduating with great qualifications. Some of its most notable alumni include Peter Jackson, former Kingfisher plc CEO and Chairman, Stephan Daintith, Chief Financial Officer of the Daily Mail and general Trust, and John Hirst, former CEO of the Met Office, amongst many more.

  • Fantastic networking scene

Being such a business-centred city, Leeds is awash with opportunities for networking. In fact barely a day goes by without some kind of business networking event going on.

If you’re looking for business networking in Leeds, look no further than the Yorkshire Mafia. Putting on numerous networking events, the Yorkshire Mafia encourages executives and stakeholders from the Yorkshire business community to network, meet, greet, share experiences, learn, build and do business.

The Yorkshire Mafia was founded in November 2008 and is built around the LinkedIn community. It provides a fantastic opportunity for small business to acquire the necessary skills to take their business further from established entrepreneurs.

  • Leeds is home to great A-level results

If you’re looking for exceptional bright new recruits brimming with ideas and innovation, then you’ll be pleased to know that Leeds tends to nurture great A-Level results. Or if you are looking for a college to assist you in getting good A-Level results, Leeds has a lot to offer.

For example, Leeds City College has a reputation for achieving good A-Level results. In 2014 Leeds City College garnered a 98% overall A-Level pass rate, with two thirds of A-Level programmes achieving 100% pass rates.

  • Great travel links to and from Leeds

Another reason it makes sense to do business in Leeds is due to the fact the city enjoys a comprehensive travel network. 

As we wrote in our blog about city centre offices versus those located on the outskirts of town, with major motorways leading into Leeds, a major railway network and with a myriad of bus routes taking travellers in and out of the city centre, travel to and around Leeds is easy.   

Visit Leeds states the merits of Leeds’ travel links, saying:

“Getting to Leeds is incredibly easy, located in the heart of the UK, Leeds is one of the country’s most accessible cities.

  • Reap the benefits of a city centre

We also love to do business in Leeds due to the fact you can enjoy all the benefits of conducting business in a vibrant, busy and pioneering city. What’s more, Leeds is a happy city. A recent poll, by The Sun we hesitantly admit, voted Leeds as the second happiest place to live in Britain.

As the Guardian writes in its report titled ‘Living here in Leeds to happiness’:

“Leeds is big but small, a city but green, Yorkshire but every bit as diverse as London.”

And we all know what a happy workforce nurtures…. A more loyal and productive workforce – that’s definitely good business!

  • Business parks in Leeds

The final reason we love to do business in Leeds is because of the many quality, well-facilitated, well-located and professional business parks dotted in and around the city.

If you’re looking for a business centre in Leeds, you never have to travel far until you find a first-rate business park designed to help a company do what they do best – carry out their business.

 



 

One such place is Carrwood Park, where you’ll find premium serviced offices and meeting rooms on the outskirts of Leeds. We provide first-rate services in our offices and meetings rooms, with easy access to the M1, M62 and City Centre.

Download our travel and meeting rooms guide for more information about Carrwood Park.

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