How can Leeds Win the Tech Race?

Business and tech leaders discuss ways on how Leeds can win the tech race.

13:02 08 October 2018

Business and tech leaders who have joined together to discuss the West Yorkshire city’s digital and technology sector believe that Leeds should look beyond just ‘competing’ with Manchester and other regional UK cities and look further afield to European hubs. 

 

Ed Thewlis, managing director of local data services firm The Data Shed, said: "I think for me it's an identity thing," 

 

"We've got two Northern cities trying to compete with one another. We are global, we are globally capable, let’s focus on that rather than on what Manchester is doing.

 

"We can compete in so many ways with industry leaders around the world, let's focus on that."

 

Kirstie Shapley, programme and partnership manager at Bruntwood's new landmark Platform building, said it’s all about collaboration.

 

"We need collaboration between the different tech hubs and between the businesses that are across Leeds," she said, adding that ‘silent’ tech companies need to work together with start-ups.

 

"Once we’re working together as a city then the North can stand together and compete across Europe and elsewhere."

 

Malcolm Seagrave, MD North at And Digital, added: "What’s good for Manchester is good for Leeds, as far as I’m concerned.

 

"Manchester is making a lot of noise and attracting lots of people and companies to the city. Jump on it, it’s a Northern thing for me. Joining up across the North would be the smarter thing to do than trying to do it on your own."