SQW is a national consultancy for economic development and public policy. The
firm carries out research and feasibility studies to assist with
economic and policy decision making for both public and private sector
companies. SQW has been established for 21 years and has offices in
Cambridge, Edinburgh, Greater Manchester, London and now Leeds.
Leeds
was the chosen city for the company’s new offices as it was a gateway
to a market that it could not otherwise serve well. The Leeds office
has opened up Yorkshire and Humber and the North East of England
allowing SQW to gain new contacts and contracts. The move into Leeds
has also opened up the labour market significantly.
Richard
Hindle, Director of SQW, commented that, "The move to Leeds has allowed
us to recruit suitably qualified consultants who wanted to be based in
Leeds, with its growing economy and lively business market." The city’s
large business and professional services sector, combined with two
internationally recognised universities, means there is a good supply
of experienced staff.
Richard approached Leeds City Council to
discuss finding business premises in Leeds. The Business and Enterprise
team identified managed office premises within Leeds city centre and
produced a tailored list of premises for the company to view.
Richard
was pleased with the service he received: "The tailored list that Leeds
City Council produced for us was a great resource. It saved time and
came complete with contact details making viewing arrangements quick
and easy to set up. When you aren't based in an area it is sometimes
hard to find what you are looking for and Leeds City Council helped the
set up of a new office to run a little more smoothly."
The
Leeds office in Aspect Court, just off Park Square, has five employees
and the company as a whole employs over 60 employees across its
branches. SQW hope to grow their business further through all of their
offices and have made a clear start in Leeds, developing better
networks within the area and raising their profile.