Inward Investment Pack
Detailed information on the Leeds economy covering everything from financial services to the media, workforce and skills also providing an overview of the Leeds lifestyle including education, leisure and healthcare.
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Financial services
The city's strength in financial services is reflected in the size and number of companies and the depth and quality of provision.
Leeds is a major centre for accountancy and legal services, mortgage, corporate and retail finance, banking, insurance, stockbroking and telephone and internet-based financial services.
Around 110,000 people work in the sector in Leeds, making the city the largest centre for financial and professional services outside London and an integral part of the United Kingdom's financial services industry.
In the last ten years employment has grown by 8%, and a further 21% growth is projected over the next decade. In the wider Leeds city region, there are 270,000 employed in financial and business services.
More than 200 accountancy practices operate in the city, including the majority of the 20 largest UK practices.
Leeds has over 30 national and international banks, many of whose northern or regional offices are based in the city. It is the headquarters for First Direct and is home to Yorkshire Bank and large Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and RBS operations.
The city is an important centre within both the region and the North of England for equity, venture and risk finance for business. Founded in Leeds, the venture capital provider, YFM, is now the UK's largest provider of risk capital to small and medium sized enterprises.
Leeds financial and professional firms have expanded nationally and internationally and act for clients all over the world. The majority are represented or have links overseas in over 30 countries including all the major markets.
Leeds has become a major centre for consumer financial services including direct banking, insurance, home finance and related financial services such as credit and outsourced management services.
First Direct, UKI Partnerships, Direct Line, HBOS, GE Money, Barclays Mortgage, and TD Waterhouse have large operations in the city and the region is also home to a number of mutual building societies, including the Leeds, Skipton, Ecology and the country’s second largest – the
The Bank of England has a major presence in the city through its Leeds cash centre, which is responsible for bulk note handling for the North of England. The Bank's Agency for Yorkshire&The Humber, which reports to the Monetary Policy Committee on economic conditions in the region, is also based in Leeds.
A full range of corporate and personal financial services is available providing services to regional, national and international clients.
Stockbroking, venture capital fund management, pension and independent financial advisers, and actuaries can all be found in Leeds, together with specialists in treasury management, trademarks and patents, wealth management, investor and financial public relations.
A contributory factor in the city region's success and attractiveness as a financial services centre is the availability of a skilled and educated workforce, good transport networks, first class office accommodation and a high quality of life.
Financial Leeds is a private sector led membership organisation set up to promote the interests of the sector and the continued growth of Leeds and the wider city region as a major centre for financial and business services.
[Last update 5/7/10]
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