Finance
sector
aims high.
BEEFED-Up SUppORT FROM YORKSHIRE
FORWARD IS ENABLING THE LEEDS
FINANCIAL SERvICES INITIATIvE TO
WOO THE UK’S LEADING FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS AT A TIME OF MAJOR
STRATEGIC REvIEW AS INFORM DISCOvERS.
Yorkshire Forward’s decision to executive, explains: “What we have in Leeds how to improve its offering to attract
invest £2.45 million in supporting and is critical mass. We have an infrastructure new members.
developing the financial and professional that is the best in the country outside “Our success will be measured by the
services sector in Leeds couldn’t have London but with lower operational costs. number of jobs provided by the sector,”
come at a better time. We have a skilled workforce familiar with he says. “Ultimately our aim is to grow
the needs of financial services institutions. the current 298,000 figure. However, given
For the past seven years the Leeds We have a strong pipeline of talent into the current economic climate we also
Financial Services Initiative (LFSI) – the industry via our quality universities have an objective to protect the sector and
a private sector-led partnership and colleges. We are at the crossroads create new jobs to replace some that will
organisation with more than 110 member of the UK with excellent communications inevitably be lost.”
firms – has worked successfully to raise and transport links, both nationally and In November the LFSI hosted a visit
the city’s profile as England’s leading internationally, and we have a great quality to Leeds by 20 trade and investment
financial and professional services centre of life to attract high calibre professionals. specialists from UK embassies from
outside London. “My predecessor at the LFSI, John around the world. Last month (December)
Now, as the credit crunch forces Ansboro, achieved a great deal in getting it launched the LFSI London and an
many London-based banks and building these messages across with limited International Committee of Leeds ‘alumni’
societies to review their strategies and look resources. The new Yorkshire Forward now based in London and overseas. All
for cost savings, the appeal of the ‘finance funding, however, provides for a real step are leaders in their own organisations and
capital of the North’ has arguably never change in that we can now employ a full- are committed to acting as ambassadors
been stronger. time team of six professionals to help us for Leeds.
The Yorkshire Forward funding, topped develop a coherent marketing strategy.” Gary Lumby, head of retail for Yorkshire
up to £3 million by the LFSI, will be used Kew, a former Leeds University graduate Bank, comments: “LFSI has been tasked
over the next three years to bolster Leeds’ and most recently director of capital with building the reputation of Leeds as a
financial services in order to create and management at Norwich Union Life, says business friendly city both nationally and
protect jobs, and to position the city as a the LFSI will be looking at how it can better internationally. As a major business in the
low risk base for ambitious companies support its existing membership, which city, we fully support the appointment of
in this sector that are looking to contain includes accountancy and legal firms as ambassadors to help promote these aims
operating costs, without losing their well as financial services institutions. It will and will give whatever support we can to
competitive edge. also examine how it can encourage and ensure the success of the city.”
Howard Kew, the LFSI’s new chief increase interaction between them, and www.leedsfinancialservices.org.uk
inForm JANUARY 2009 pAGE 8
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