United States media, technology, legal services and manufacturing businesses are attending a series of international trade events and meetings in Leeds this week as the first US trade mission from Boston to Yorkshire arrived in the city.
Led by the British American Business Council of New England (BABCNE), and accompanied by the British Government’s Consul General to New England, Harriet Cross, the delegation of US businesses includes Virgin Atlantic Airways and Massachusetts -based PR firm Hollywood Agency. The businesses are in Leeds as part of a mission to investigate trade relationships and off-shoring opportunities between New England firms and businesses in the Northern Powerhouse region.
During its two-day visit to the city, the Boston trade delegation attended events hosted by law firm Clarion; digital print and technology giant Paragon; education technology business Solutionpath; and leading audit, tax and consulting firm RSM. The US delegates also held meetings with several Leeds-based organisations, including the University of Leeds, the city council and the LEP.
Speaking at a lunch event hosted by Clarion on Wednesday, Rick McKenna, CEO of Boston-based advertising and brand agency Wallwork Curry McKenna and president of BABCNE, said: “We have had an amazing welcome here in Leeds and it has been great to meet, and forge links with, some of the many Yorkshire businesses and other organisations that are involved in the same industry sector as ourselves.
“A strong US-British relationship is as important now as it has ever been and I very much hope that our visit will become the catalyst for a growth in international trade between our region of Boston in the US, and Yorkshire.”
He added: “Yorkshire is not one of the best known parts of the UK to most Americans and it has been fascinating to see the compelling blend of rich northern heritage and the many super-modern Yorkshire digital industries that are flourishing in today’s global economy.”
Steve Crow, business development director at Clarion, said: “Export is, of course, a hot topic for UK businesses at the moment and there’s no doubt that looking beyond Europe opens up some fantastic opportunities for the region’s innovative and dynamic companies. The US remains a top destination for trade and we’re really pleased to welcome the Boston delegation to Yorkshire and introduce them to some of the region’s leading media businesses.”
Chloë Ellis, tax partner at RSM said: “The US market presents a wealth of reciprocal and investment opportunities for Yorkshire firms, and today’s event was a great forum to discuss trade opportunities, forge strong working relationships between US and regional business, and ultimately showcase what Yorkshire has to offer.”
Starting in Manchester on Monday, before visiting Leeds, the Boston Northern Powerhouse trade delegation will spend a further two days in Newcastle before returning to the US.
