Leeds invested heavily in its telecommunications infrastructure during the late 80s and early 90s, and continues to feel the benefit of this forward thinking approach today.

The city’s networks are amongst the most advanced in Europe and major companies such as BT, Orange and O2 have chosen Leeds as their operational headquarters with this factor in mind. 

HSBC, the world’s largest bank, selected Leeds as their base to launch First Direct, the UK’s first ever 24hr telephone banking service. The service’s headquarters makes full use of the diverse local workforce, and is one of 18 major call centres in Leeds, which employ some 18,000 people in total.

Contact centre outsourcer Ventura chose Leeds for its expansion in 2006 after carrying out a nationwide survey. Managing Director Kate Marsden says: “We searched extensively throughout the UK and the defining reason we decided on Leeds was that it allowed us to draw on a wide employee pool, enabled in part by its excellent transport links. We are fully committed to the region, which continues to provide the quantity and calibre of employees we need.