Where is the best place in the UK to develop a tech business?
Yorkshire has seen a nearly 50 per cent increase in digital tech jobs in last three years, according to recently compiled data
Yorkshire has been declared the best region in the UK to grow a tech business, according to data compiled by Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
The county has seen the highest growth rate anywhere in the nation in the digital sector over the past three years.
The LEP gathered data from the 2019 Tech Nation report, as well as factors including the average tech business turnover, average number of employees, increase in venture capital investments and employee productivity to determine the rankings.
In the past three years, the number of digital tech jobs in Yorkshire jumped from 58,000 to 86,000, an increase of 48 per cent. This outpaces any other region in the UK and is the highest growth rate, with Wales showing the second-highest growth rate with 29 per cent.
Two thirds of the 86,000 tech jobs in Yorkshire are based in the Leeds City region.
"Our research highlights that the northern tech scene is thriving, with so many fantastic opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses here," stated Roger Marsh, chair of the LEP.
"We're extremely proud to see that Yorkshire has the highest growth rate in terms of digital employment in the country, which we predict to continue as workers begin to seek more affordable options outside the capital and the commuter belt.
"We're looking forward to seeing how the tech scene develops further over the next five years. To support that growth, we've launched #Welcome, a £2.4m digital inward investment fund to support tech companies new to the region locate here."
Anna Sutton, CEO of data consultancy service The Data Shed, added: "We set up The Data Shed in Leeds six years ago now and we've thrived because of the amazing businesses and talent in the region that have supported the growth of the consultancy."
The top five regions in the UK with the highest growth rate of tech businesses are:
- Yorkshire and the Humber (48%)
- Wales (29%)
- East Midlands (27%)
- South West (20%)
- Scotland (18%)