Yorkshire Forward is the Regional Development Agency behind the economic regeneration of the Yorkshire and Humber region. We make a positive difference to its people, its business and its environment.
With over 5 million people and 270,000 businesses contributing to an economy now worth over £75.2 billion, this region ranks alongside countries including Ireland, Greece, Norway and Singapore.
In the last year Yorkshire Forward has driven the region to even greater success. We've been at the heart of major investments, regeneration initiatives and have been driving the innovation agenda.
Our region has so much to offer: great businesses, a fantastic quality of life and people with diverse talents and skills. Yorkshire Forward is developing this extraordinary potential, to make our region a truly world class location in which to live, work and invest.
Yorkshire and Humber is one of the fastest growing economic areas in the UK. A vibrant business centre generating industries, jobs and expertise that attract some of the best brains and skills from all over the world.
The solid, industrial base at the core of the region has supported the rapid growth of Leeds to become the UK's largest financial and legal centre outside London. Industries range from engineering to information technology, biotechnology to chemicals, healthcare to tourism.
The region has a diverse chemicals industry ranging from bulk chemicals manufacturing on the Humber to fine chemicals, dyes, speciality chemicals and surface coatings across the rest of Yorkshire. Famous names in the region include Syngenta, CIBA, BP Chemicals, ConocoPhillips, Tencel, A H Marks, NPIL Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd and Novartis to name just a few. In total we have over 400 chemical manufacturing sites, and a well developed supply chain of supporting industries.
Strategically located at the heart of the UK's transportation network, the region also provides unrivalled access to a skilled workforce and over 370 million customers in Europe.
And with ten universities and over 40 colleges, the region now produces more than 10% of the UK's graduates - over 40% qualifying in science and technology providing the workforce of the furture.
As well as being a natural focus for business, the region boasts a quality of life unrivalled elsewhere in the UK.
This site will introduce you to the benefits available by locating your business in Yorkshire and Humber, and to outline the support available to your business - existing or new investors - through the cluster development activities of Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency for Yorkshire and the Humber.
Yorkshire Forward