Leeds’ digital and tech sector set to boost city’s economic recovery in 2021

Leeds’ digital and tech sector continues to thrive, demonstrating its important role in the city’s post-pandemic economic recovery, as Bruntwood SciTech (the joint venture between Bruntwood and Legal & General) announces four fast-growth companies relocating to Platform - the ‘home of tech’ in Leeds. Zoot Enterprises, Baltic Apprenticeships, Intuitive Business Intelligence and Boxphish are all set to join the Platform tech community, underlining the appeal of co-locating alongside other digital and tech startups, scaleups and large corporates.

The city’s digital tech sector is currently the fastest growing in the UK, employing around 30,000 people and contributing £6.6bn to the local economy. Fintech and cybersecurity in particular have been key to the city’s success in recent years, which is now home to more than 40 established financial services organisations and has seen the number of fintech businesses double since 2018, to contribute £353.5m GVA to the regional economy.

Businesses based at Platform benefit from unrivalled access to finance and funding, talent and new markets through Bruntwood SciTech’s large partner network - which includes the city’s universities and NHS Trusts.

Fintech company Zoot Enterprises’ move to Platform comes as it looks to capitalise on the city’s thriving tech and financial services industries, while Baltic Apprenticeships offers training across a range of digital sectors, including software development and digital marketing. Payments data company Intuitive Business Intelligence continues its rapid growth and joins leading cybersecurity company Boxphish,specialising in cyber awareness through automated solutions, data driven approaches and engaging user experiences.

Baltic Apprenticeships, Intuitive Business Intelligence and Boxphish will be based in Platform’s Tech Hub, which offers a range of coworking and serviced offices and is already home to a thriving sector-specialist community of more than 80 of the region's most innovative and disruptive digital and tech start- and scale-ups. 

Deb Hetherington, Head of Innovation, Bruntwood SciTech – Leeds, said: “Many of the region’s digital and  tech businesses have thrived during the pandemic and are plotting the course of the city’s recovery in 2021. Businesses like Zoot, Baltic Apprenticeships, Intuitive Business Intelligence and Boxphish are scaling up and taking new ideas forward with an ambition that will drive innovation and economic growth across Leeds, the region and beyond. 

“Our city has always had a strong identity and this is becoming increasingly synonymous with its tech industry. The Economic Recovery Framework announced towards the end of last year majors on the power of collaboration and a forward-thinking attitude and these values are reflected in our growing community at Platform.” 

James Dentith, head of employer engagement, Baltic Apprenticeships, said: "We're delighted to be moving to Platform. As a tech and digital-focused apprenticeship provider, it's so important to be connected to other organisations with similar synergy and goals. Platform provides the perfect location for us from which we can offer support to other businesses looking to explore apprenticeships."

Nick Deacon Elliott, VP Sales & Operations at Boxphish commented: “Boxphish is delighted to call the Tech Hub at Platform our home; it provides a central location right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Leeds City Centre. The flexibility, community and facilities are exactly what we need as we continue our future expansion plans.”