West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin has led a 12-strong business delegation to Switzerland and Germany in a five-day trade mission designed to secure export deals and inward investment for the Leeds economy and wider regional sectors including healthtech, financial services and advanced manufacturing.
The government-backed mission, which began in Zurich on Sunday before moving to Karlsruhe, Heilbronn and Stuttgart, aims to capitalize on Switzerland’s status as the UK’s 11th largest trading partner — a £47 billion annual bilateral relationship — while strengthening ties with German industrial and innovation centres.
“Europe is our most important trading partner, with investment from Swiss and German firms – and exports from our homegrown businesses – supporting thousands of good jobs in every part of our great region. “Now, thanks to devolution and our strong, public-private West Yorkshire partnership, we have the potential to go so much further. “Over the next five days, we’ll showcase our multimillion-pound healthtech investment zone, champion our Northern Square Mile of global financial and professional services firms, and create new export opportunities for our world-class manufacturers. “Together, we’ll build international relationships that will stand the test of time and help us build a brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.”
Leeds Economy Benefits from Financial Services and Healthtech Focus
The delegation is promoting Leeds’ position as the Northern Square Mile — an ecosystem of 30,000 financial and professional services firms employing almost 300,000 people, anchored by the Bank of England, Financial Conduct Authority and National Wealth Fund. The UK-Switzerland Berne Financial Services Agreement and the Chancellor’s Leeds Reforms are being positioned as frameworks that reduce regulatory barriers and strengthen cross-border cooperation.
Phil Murden, Leeds Office Senior Partner at KPMG UK, said:
“This trade mission represents a significant opportunity to deepen West Yorkshire’s economic relationship with Switzerland and Germany – two markets that are central to Europe’s financial, industrial and innovation landscape. For firms across our region, stronger links with these economies means greater access to capital, closer collaboration on regulation and digital standards, and new routes into high-value export markets. At a time when global competition for investment is intense, building practical, long-term partnerships with trade counterparts will help ensure that West Yorkshire remains outward-looking and competitive.
“Leeds has firmly established itself as the ‘Square Mile of the North’, and the wider region is now recognised as one of the UK’s leading financial and professional services centres outside London. Major banks, building societies, insurers, fintech businesses, wealth managers and regulators have chosen to invest here, reinforcing the region’s role as both an operational and regulatory hub. KPMG has deep roots in Yorkshire, employing hundreds of people locally and supporting clients across financial services, technology and advanced industry. By backing this mission, we are helping to strengthen the international profile of the region and support sustainable job creation across West Yorkshire’s most important sectors.”
A key objective involves promoting West Yorkshire’s £160 million Healthtech Investment Zone to Swiss biotech investors. Carly Walter, chief executive of women’s wellbeing technology company MAGI, said the mission offered pivotal opportunities to build relationships with AI and healthtech leaders. “The support of the Mayor has been instrumental in our growth journey,” she said, citing funding through the Mayor’s Big Ideas Challenge alongside international trade access.
The Leeds economy delegation includes established exporters and high-growth firms spanning digital technology, health innovation and advanced manufacturing, reflecting the region’s diverse business base and international competitiveness.
Why this matters for Leeds
The delegation highlights Leeds’ strengths in financial services, healthtech and advanced manufacturing, positioning the city as the go-to UK base for European firms expanding into Britain. This reinforces Leeds’ reputation as the Northern Square Mile while accelerating development of the £160 million Healthtech Investment Zone, creating opportunities for local businesses to scale internationally.
