Leeds being chosen as the location of Channel 4’s new headquarters could serve as a significant catalyst for attracting further investment into the West Yorkshire city. Richard Ellis, managing principal consultant and head of digital retail at a technology company, conveyed this sentiment during a recent event focused on Leeds’ technological growth.
Richard Ellis stated, ‘I think it would be a real catalyst in terms of attracting other figurehead businesses to come into the city.’ He emphasised that such a development would boost the local economy, generate jobs, and increase Leeds’ appeal to potential investors.
Although the final decision regarding Channel 4’s new national headquarters or creative hub is imminent, Ellis and other speakers at the event underlined that Leeds’ burgeoning tech sector is not entirely dependent on this decision. Attracting and retaining talent emerged as a prominent theme during the discussion, highlighting an ongoing challenge for businesses in the region.
Ellis noted that retention is one of the company’s biggest challenges, stating, ‘The nature of the work we do puts our people – regardless of their skills set – right in the face of working with clients directly. You’re expected to go in and hit the ground running.’
Mark Fordyce, managing director of a connectivity and telecoms systems provider, also acknowledged that recruitment is a major obstacle. ‘It’s one of the biggest hurdles we face at the moment and it’s really hampering our business,’ he said, pointing out that although there is a pool of talented graduates in the region, more needs to be done to encourage them to stay and work locally.
Eve Roodhouse, chief officer of economic development at Leeds City Council, discussed the council’s approach to digital integration. Rather than formulating a separate digital strategy, the local authority has embedded digital elements into its overall strategy. ‘We think digital is so integral to our future that it needed to be integrated into everything and you need digital leaders embedded into all parts of the organisation,’ Roodhouse explained. She highlighted the council’s initiatives focused on leveraging technology, redesigning services, and enhancing digital skills within the organisation.
The event also featured insights from various industry leaders, including Anne Dornan, head of Innovation; Martin Stow, director; Adam Hildreth, CEO; James Gupta, founder & CEO; Tina Howell, platform lead; Laura Harper, partner; and Zandra Moore, CEO.
The choice of Leeds for Channel 4’s new headquarters holds the potential to significantly boost the city’s economic and technological landscape. However, it is evident that the region is already cultivating a robust tech sector independent of this decision, demonstrating resilience and forward-thinking strategies in digital integration and talent retention.