Leeds stands as a northern powerhouse with its diverse economy driving growth and prosperity. The
city is a major player in financial and professional services, healthcare, and digital technologies,
attracting businesses and talent from across the globe. Indeed, financial and business services
companies including First Direct, Centrica, Ventura, BT, Yorkshire Bank, and KPMG contribute to
around 40% of the city’s economic output.
This economic dynamism has led to significant job
creation with one of the fastest rates of private-sector job growth in the UK. This has led to strong
demand for housing with rental growth outperforming other major cities such as Birmingham and
Manchester in recent years. EY forecasts economic growth of 2.1% in Leeds between 2024 and 2026,
in line with the 2.1% UK average. According to the government, the city’s economy is expected to
grow by 21% over the next 10 years.