Sectors and industries

We are home to six clusters of businesses that are driving growth in their sectors. There is huge potential to invest in companies that are known around the world for their innovation and quality. From established manufacturing to cutting-edge technology, West Yorkshire is where opportunity lives.

Our regional economy is full of dynamic and thriving businesses. Many of them are at the forefront of creating new solutions to the challenges we all face.

We have particular strengths in six key sectors where there is huge potential for growth. We are a region of manufacturers and engineers that powered the industrial revolution. We have embraced the potential of digital technology and services. We are a region of creatives, home to arts universities, television studios and music makers. We are home to the Northern Square Mile, with the Bank of England, Financial Conduct Authority and others already here. We are transitioning to net zero by 2038 and building the largest hydrogen processing facility in the UK. We are the home of the NHS, a globally important healthtech cluster and the £160 million West Yorkshire Investment Zone.

Below you can find out more about our growth sectors and meet some of the businesses that are thriving here.

Advanced manufacturing.
Creative industries.
Digital and technology.
Financial and professional services.
Green economy.
Health and life sciences.

Male software developer sat at computers

High growth opportunities in AI and data

West Yorkshire is recognised by the UK Government as a high growth opportunity area for data and AI. We are building a hyperscale data centre and produce more data science graduates than any other region.

£1.3b

Annual value of Leeds’ digital and tech sector

27k

Financial and professional services firms

£3b

Annual revenue from healthtech