Sky claims digital hub will stop exodus to the South

Sky’s new facility will create up to 400 skilled jobs. The firm said they will be working at the cutting edge of digital technology, creating and developing Sky’s next generation of websites and apps.

Based at Allied London’s Leeds Dock,​ the firm said that​ ​‘Sky@Leeds Dock’​ will establish a dynamic and creative environment that will transform the way Sky’s technology teams​ operate.

Matt Grest, ​h​ead of ​t​echnology​ 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.”

He rejected claims from Jonathan Filewood, managing director at Leeds-based digital marketing firm Enjoy Digital, that Sky’s development plans for the city will snap up the best of the region’s talent.

Mr Grest responded: “Sky is growing the technology community in Leeds and that can only be a good thing for Leeds.

“We want to be transparent in the community. We want to let people in Leeds know what we are doing. We are very keen to be a good tenant.”

Sky@Leeds Dock will bring the total number of employees based in the city to over ​1,000. Its creation is designed to meet customer demand for new ways to access their favourite content, on mobiles and tablets, and on the move.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: “​The announcement is a boost to the digital economy of the entire Northern Powerhouse and will undoubtedly help to cement Leeds as a leading technology cluster.”

Nathan Lane, director of Media Yorkshire, said: “The move underlines Leeds’ growing reputation as a global hub for the digital industries. It is more important than ever that businesses work with schools and universities to build a pipeline of talent.”