Leeds shines as a beacon for health and care research and innovation, boasting a robust healthtech sector contributing £1.4 million in GVA, over 300 healthtech businesses, and the highest number of healthtech workers in the region. Strategic initiatives like The West Yorkshire Healthtech Cluster and The Leeds Innovation Arc, coupled with academic excellence and significant funding, highlight Leeds’ national and international prominence in this vital sector.
What makes Leeds a leading city in health and care research and innovation?
Leeds shines in health and care research and innovation, with a robust healthtech sector contributing £1.4 million in GVA, over 300 healthtech businesses, and the highest number of healthtech workers in the region. Strategic initiatives, such as The West Yorkshire Healthtech Cluster and The Leeds Innovation Arc, drive growth, while Leeds’ academic excellence and ability to secure significant funding spotlight its national and international prominence.
The Pursuing Excellence Report Unveiled
Leeds has historically been a center for industry and innovation, but its role in health and care research has recently received significant acclaim. An independent analysis, known as the Pursuing Excellence report, has placed Leeds at the pinnacle of health and care research and innovation within the UK. This report, meticulously compiled by Perspective Economics, was commissioned by the Leeds Academic Health Partnership (LAHP) to gauge the city’s influence and impact in this vital sector.
The inquiry employed a comprehensive methodology, incorporating data analysis, thematic research, interviews with key stakeholders, and strategic reviews. The findings are based on a robust benchmarking system that measured Leeds against five UK cities—Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Newcastle Upon Tyne—as well as an international cohort that included Boston, Dublin, Zurich, Basel, Eindhoven, Oulu, Mainz, and Bergen. The aim was to provide a clear picture of where Leeds stands not only nationally but also on the global stage.
The results are unequivocal: Leeds is not just keeping pace but setting the benchmark for health and care research and innovation. This success is attributed to strong leadership and an unwavering commitment to collaboration. Strategic initiatives such as The West Yorkshire Healthtech Cluster and The Leeds Innovation Arc have catalyzed progress, supported by an extensive network of 59 ecosystem assets. These endeavors have established a fertile ground for innovation and business growth in the region.
Leeds’ Health and Care Innovation Landscape
Leeds’ burgeoning healthtech sector is a testament to the city’s dynamic approach to innovation. With over 300 healthtech businesses operating in Leeds and the wider West Yorkshire area, the sector contributes an impressive £1.4 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the local economy. Notably, 57% of these businesses are rooted in Leeds, demonstrating the city’s central role in the region’s healthtech boom.
Employment statistics further underscore the city’s importance in this sector, with Leeds being home to nearly one-third of all healthtech employees in the region. Out of 16,000 healthtech workers across West Yorkshire, Leeds employs a majority, signifying its status as a hub for talent and expertise in the industry.
Leeds’ innovative capacity is notably reflected in its high-growth healthtech companies which are securing equity investments at an impressive rate. The city also takes the lead in the number of health and care-related patents applied for or granted, signaling a fertile environment for new ideas and technologies. In the realm of academia, Leeds enrolls the highest proportion of undergraduate students in bioscience courses among the benchmarked UK cities, preparing a new generation to contribute to this vital field.
Leeds on the National and International Stage
The Pursuing Excellence report highlighted Leeds’ national prominence by showcasing its notable achievements in research and innovation funding, clinching third place among UK benchmark cities with over £200 million secured from UKRI research councils. This places Leeds at the forefront of national research and innovation efforts, ensuring that the city’s health and care sector continues to flourish.
However, the impact of Leeds extends beyond national borders. When compared with a selection of international benchmark cities, Leeds accounts for 14% of investment-raising companies, trailing only Dublin and Zurich. This is a compelling indicator of the city’s competitive edge and its ability to attract significant investment on an international scale.
The breadth and depth of Leeds’ achievements in health and care research and innovation are clear indicators of its growing reputation as a leading hub in the global arena. It stands as a beacon, guiding advancements and drawing in both talent and investment, which in turn fuel further innovation.
The Pursuing Excellence report is a significant document that encapsulates the city’s journey and achievements. It offers a narrative of progress, a story of a city that not only dreams of innovation but also realizes it through concrete actions and strategic partnerships. For those interested in delving into the details of this landmark report, the Pursuing Excellence Report can be accessed here.
Leeds continues to demonstrate that through investment in research, innovation, and the fostering of a skilled workforce, it can achieve excellence in health and care. This not only benefits the local economy and the residents of Leeds but also contributes to the wider UK health sector and the global healthcare landscape.
- Leeds has a robust healthtech sector contributing £1.4 million in GVA, over 300 healthtech businesses, and the highest number of healthtech workers in the region.
- The Pursuing Excellence report commissioned by the Leeds Academic Health Partnership (LAHP) placed Leeds at the pinnacle of health and care research and innovation in the UK.
- Leeds is home to nearly one-third of all healthtech employees in the region and has the highest proportion of undergraduate students in bioscience courses among benchmarked UK cities.
- Leeds secured over £200 million from UKRI research councils, ranking third among UK benchmark cities, and accounts for 14% of investment-raising companies when compared to international benchmark cities.
- The city’s success in health and care research and innovation showcases its national and international prominence, attracting talent and investment that fuel further innovation.