A couple of weeks ago Siemens announced that their existing office in Manchester is to become their new UK headquarters. The global technology company is following in the footsteps of a number of companies making the North their home base.
The much publicised move by Channel 4 to Leeds also became official last week as they opened their new office on Grace Street, ahead of their planned move to The Majestic next year. To coincide with the opening the broadcaster announced that starting in the spring, Steph McGovern would be hosting a new daily current affairs show from their new home. It’s all part of a wider plan to spend 50 per cent of their commissioning budget outside of London by 2023.
Siemens plan to move their HQ to Manchester is reflective of both the importance of local investment and wider plans to improve transport and connectivity across the North. The new headquarters is based at their existing office at the science and technology park in Didsbury, close to both the Oxford Road Corridor innovation district and Manchester Airport.
Our Strategic Transport Plan outlines how better connecting our strongly performing industries, including the digital and advanced manufacturing sectors, could transform productivity and the Northern economy. A £70 billion investment in transport across the North over the next 30 years would support the delivery of 850,000 new jobs and deliver an additional £100 billion in GVA to 2050.
Whilst 2050 may seem a long way off there are many reasons for businesses to make the move now. The North has an abundance of talented potential employees in its more than 25 universities, which include some of the best learning institutions in Europe. One aim for Channel 4’s move to Leeds is that the North will be able to attract and retain people working in the media industry by removing the need for them to move to London to further their career.
The North is also home to half a dozen international airports, and with major programmes including Northern Powerhouse Rail set to transform the transport network in the North, we’ll be home to a world-class system to rival any other.
With the digital sector one of our four prime capabilities, Channel 4 and Siemens’ move to the North is a welcome reminder that a long-term transport strategy gives companies the confidence to invest in our regions. Find out more about Siemens’ move to the North here.
Big businesses relocate to the North