Leeds is one of the UK’s largest centres outside London for financial and business services. There are 30 national and international banks, and a similar number of call centres, based in the city. These include the headquarters of First Direct, Direct Line, Halifax Direct and the UK operations centre for GE Consumer Finance. Over 110,000 are employed in the sector, which accounts for 25% of the city’s GDP.
The service sector as a whole accounts for over 80 per cent of total employment. With two universities, one of Europe’s largest teaching hospitals, the Department of Health and several other government departments, the public sector is also a major employer in Leeds.
At the same time, Leeds remains one of the country’s principal centres for manufacturing, with particular strengths in engineering, printing, chemicals and food production. Major companies include DePuy International, Cameron, Agfa Gaevert, Communisis Chorley's Ltd, Lever Faberge, Arla Foods and Carlsberg UK.
Leeds also has a well-established reputation as a centre for the media and communications industries. The sector includes major regional companies and organisations such as Yorkshire Post Newspapers, Yorkshire Television, Orange Multimedia Operations and BBC North. Several large agencies, including Advertising Principles, Brahm, Poulter Partners and Ptarmigan are based in the city.
More information about companies based in Leeds and key sectors of the city's economy is included in the Leeds Economy Handbook.