Trio of global businesses back Leeds’ bid for European Capital of Culture 2023

Three more ‘high profile’ businesses have given their support and financial backing to Leeds’ bid to become European Capital of Culture 2023.

The businesses are providing the bid with an additional £100k funding boost.

aql, the smart telecommunications business, based in the city’s South Bank, is joined by international legal practice Squire Patton Boggs and construction management consultancy Turner & Townsend in supporting the city’s bid for the European Capital of Culture crown.

Sharon Watson, chair of the Leeds 2023 Independent Steering Group, said: “The support from the business community in the city demonstrates our strong commitment to winning this for Leeds and the wider region.

“Over the last twelve months we have worked hard to bring the city together and are delighted that aql, Squire Patton Boggs and Turner & Townsend are joining the efforts to make Leeds the winning city in this race.”

Servicing global names in banking, retail, logistics and health, aql has also created a main internet hub for Leeds, which has catalysed the growth of digital business in and around the city and plays an active role in the growing digital community.

aql CEO, Dr Adam Beaumont, said: “As a global operator based in Leeds, we need to be able to attract the right talent to allow us to build and maintain world-class communication services.

“The Leeds 2023 bid is an aspiration to celebrate and broaden the cultural offering in the region. We’re proud to support this drive to send a message that the quality of life and the cultural offer in Leeds and Yorkshire is second to none.”

The last UK city to hold the title was almost a decade ago in Liverpool. The Liverpool 2008 year as European Capital of Culture created a £750m boost for the local economy and attracted 9.7 million visitors to the city.

John Alderton, managing partner of Squire Patton Boggs in Leeds, added: “We are delighted to support the Leeds 2023 bid. As a law firm with a long history in the city, and with offices across the world, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to showcase the eclectic cultural offering that the city has to offer on an international stage.

“We are looking forward to being part of an initiative that will generate tourism and economic growth whilst ensuring further regeneration and development for the city.”

These businesses join the likes of Yorkshire Building Society, Yorkshire Water and Yorkshire Bank in backing the bid.

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