Leeds more known as tech hub rather than financial services centre, new research reveals

According to new research, the city of Leeds is now known more as a tech hub rather than as a centre for financial services.

The study was conducted by Sky Betting & Gaming, which asked 680 people the question ‘What are the following cities known for?’.

SB&G’s results reveals that in areas outside of the North including London, 2% more people say Leeds is very or somewhat well known for technology (20%) than for financial services (18%).

Locally, Leeds is most well-known for sports (75%), music (59%), the outdoors (47%) and quality of life (43%). Outside of the North the picture changes only slightly, with the city most well-known for sports (66%), music (37%) the outdoors (37%) and manufacturing (33%).

The Leeds city region is the second largest UK city region economy outside of London with a financial and professional services cluster, producing the largest GVA regional contribution in financial and professional services in the UK outside of the capital.

Home to over 30 national and international banks, the UK’s ‘second centre for banking’, employs 22,000 people.

By comparison, 24,000 people are now employed in the city region’s digital sector which contributes £688m GVA each year.

Leeds is also set to host three sister digital festivals in the same week, from April 23rd-28th.

Leeds Digital Festival, Live at Leeds and the Leeds International Festival will see over 100 events and welcome tens of thousands of to the city.

Adam Smith of Sky Betting & Gaming said: “We’re really keen to keep driving all the positive messages about being a tech business located in Leeds, a city which has demonstrated considerable strength in financial and professional services for decades.

“It’s a real positive to see our technology businesses being recognised for the economic impact they have here and to celebrate that success as sponsors of this year’s Leeds Digital Festival.”

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