This week will see the Mayor of West Yorkshire leading a delegation to champion the county’s credentials as a quality home for jobs and growth.
The trip comes over the course of International Trade Week and has been supported by the UK Government, with the Mayor visiting the offices of several businesses in Boston, New York and Lititz, Pennsylvania to explore how to scale and export local businesses internationally.
West Yorkshire is home to seven universities, around 10,000 businesses, and an economy that is worth approximately £60 billion, with these factors driving the mayor’s ambitions to attract global investors to the region.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:
“This trade mission is an exciting first for West Yorkshire – a chance to show the US and Canada what we’re made of, as we boost jobs, investment, and opportunities for local people.
“We have so much going for us – bustling towns and glorious countryside, nationally celebrated cities of culture, and a work-life balance that makes our talented graduates want to stay in the region.
“As we continue to punch above our weight with an economy that’s bigger than several EU nations, now is the time to declare West Yorkshire open for business, as we build a stronger, brighter economy that works for all.”
Recently appointed Business Advisor to the Mayor, Mandy Ridyard, added:
“At the heart of the UK and the Northern Powerhouse, West Yorkshire is the ideal place to start and scale a business, thanks to our innovative universities, our vibrant cultural offer, and our supportive eco-system of public-private partnerships.
“Consistently voted one of the happiest and best places to live in the UK, we can deliver the talent pipelines and upskilled workers our businesses need to thrive, with the majority of our graduates choosing to live, work and play in West Yorkshire than move elsewhere.
“And our sector strengths in healthcare and life sciences, digital and media, professional and financial services and advanced manufacturing and engineering, mean we can move forward with huge confidence in our abilities and global ambitions for the future.”
Image credit: iStock
