Hundreds of jobs to be created in Leeds by new manufacturing and innovation hub

The Chancellor has welcomed plans to build a new manufacturing and innovation hub in Leeds, creating hundreds of jobs.

UK tech start-up UtterBerry has bought premises in the city, which will open in the autumn, creating up to 1,000 positions.

UtterBerry, a spin-out from Cambridge University, is known for its AI sensor technology which has been used on projects such as Crossrail, Thames Tideway and London Underground.

Chief executive Heba Bevan said: "There is so much talent in the area, and I want to invest in local people to create the jobs for the future.

"We're proud to be bringing new and unique jobs to the area and to build the technology of the future in the heart of the city.

"As the nation builds back stronger after the pandemic, we are looking forward to building the manufacturing hub that will educate and train the next generation as well as give opportunities to local workers who may have lost their jobs due to Covid, or simply want a career change."

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: "It's fantastic news for Leeds that UtterBerry is creating hundreds of new manufacturing jobs, backed by our super-deduction tax relief.

"Our manufacturing sector is one to be proud of and it's brilliant to see UtterBerry utilising local workers in creating a new manufacturing hub in the North."

As well as trainees and graduates, UtterBerry said it was looking to fill the vacancies with workers throughout Yorkshire who might have lost their jobs due to the pandemic.