Five reasons to be cheerful about the future of Leeds

Here are links to five stories that will give you reasons to be cheerful.

A global IT firm hopes to employ around 500 staff in Leeds by mid 2017, as part of a strategy to increase its client base around Yorkshire. FDM Group, which is one of Britain’s largest listed IT services providers, moved its northern centre from Manchester to Leeds eight weeks ago.

The Leeds office already employs 100 staff, and Rod Flavell, FDM’s chief executive, plans to dramatically increase its size in response to demand.

In July, it was revealed that entertainment company Sky had chosen Leeds as the location for a new, world-class technology facility.

The hub will create up to 400 skilled jobs at the cutting edge of digital technology, focused on creating and developing Sky’s next generation of websites and apps across its services. Based at Allied London’s Leeds Dock, in the heart of the city, the company said Sky@Leeds Dock will establish a dynamic and creative environment that will transform the way Sky’s technology teams operate.

Matt Grest, head of technology at Sky@Leeds Dock, said: “The hub will mean that the cream of technology will no longer have to go to London or the west coast of America.”

In March, it was announced that internet giant Google was opening a “Digital Garage” in Leeds as part of a nationwide initiative to help small businesses grow.

Google hopes the UK-wide scheme will enable 200,000 British entrepreneurs to achieve their potential through the smart use of technology.

During the summer, the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) launched an SME growth service, which aims to make accessing support easier.

The scheme offers a single point of contact for businesses looking for help in funding, export, apprenticeships, research and development and skills.

A team of 10 growth managers, based around the region, will direct firms to existing schemes available from the LEP and other organisations, including UK Trade and Investment.