Bradford is a big economy worth £11.6bn and is the tenth largest city economy in England. It is the third largest economy in the Yorkshire and Humber region after Leeds and Sheffield.

Bradford’s economy grew by 16% over the five years to 2019.

Bradford is home to over 16,000 businesses employing around 250,000 people across the UK with a combined turnover of over £30 billion.

The district has a number of large headquarters including the grocery giant Morrisons, Yorkshire Water, Hallmark Cards, Arris and Yorkshire Building Society.

It has been identified as the best place in Britain to start a business, as ranked by Barclays Bank SME Growth Factors Index and we were listed as one of the top 20 cities for business growth by the Sunday Times in 2020.

Sector strengths include advanced engineering, chemicals, automotive components and food manufacture alongside financial services and digital technologies.

Bradford has 1,200 manufacturing businesses employing 24,000 people – 12 per cent of all employment compared to just 8% nationally and the 5th highest of any city in the UK after London, Birmingham, Derby and Leeds.

Our thriving digital sector already includes 800 businesses employing 3,500 people.

This free event is aimed at offering businesses in the district to come together and hear more about Bradfords economy now and in the future

We have some excellent keynote speakers :

• Prof. David Spicer – Director of Business and Community Engagement

Director of Business and Community Engagement the University of Bradford’s award winning business school will speak on the opportunities for business to engage with the university and how you can utilise the resources and expertise at the University to support your business and its growth.

• Bev Foster – Investment and Partnership Manager – CBMDC

Bev will let us know the Council’s plans for the coming years and also what Business Support and funding streams are available to businesses in the district.

• Dan Bates – Executive Director at Bradford City of Culture 2025

Presentation about plans for delivering an outstanding year of culture across the Bradford District in 2025, and how businesses can get involved.

• James Mason – CEO, West and North, Chamber of Commerce

James will present to us about the work the Chamber is involved with and their insights into Bradford and Districts economy – now and in the future .