Leeds is a city located in the heart of Yorkshire, England. It has a population of around 775,000 people and is home to some of the largest employers in the area.
With a thriving economy, Leeds is one of the most important cities in the North of England and it has seen an influx of businesses relocate to the city over the past few years. But who are the biggest employers in Leeds?
This article will discuss some of the biggest companies that employ people in Leeds and what jobs they offer. We’ll also look at how this has changed over time and what this means for jobseekers looking for work in Leeds.
Read on to find out more about who are the biggest employers in Leeds!
1. University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is the largest employer in Leeds, with over 30,000 students and staff. It is one of the most prestigious universities in the UK and is ranked as one of the top 10 universities in the world.
The university has invested heavily in research and teaching programmes which helps contribute to its high ranking. It also has a strong presence within the city, with a number of student-led initiatives taking place throughout the year.
The university prides itself on its diverse student body and strives to provide an excellent learning experience for all who study at Leeds.
2. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is the biggest employer in Leeds. It employs over 18,000 staff across two sites in Leeds – St James’s University Hospital and Leeds General Infirmary.
They provide healthcare services to the people of Leeds and surrounding areas. The trust also provides a wide range of specialist services to people from across Yorkshire and Humberside and beyond.
Some of their services include cancer care, maternity, neurology, trauma and orthopaedic care, paediatrics, kidney transplants and general surgery. In addition, the trust is actively involved in research activities to develop new treatments for patients.
3. Centrica plc
Centrica plc is one of the largest employers in Leeds and is one of the largest energy companies in Britain.
The company has nearly 6,000 employees across its sites in Leeds and provides jobs for a variety of roles including customer service representatives, engineers and IT professionals.
Centrica also runs a range of apprenticeship programs for young people looking to enter the energy sector. In addition, Centrica operates two power stations on the outskirts of Leeds which are capable of generating enough electricity to power over two million homes.
4. ASDA Stores Ltd
ASDA Stores Ltd is one of the biggest employers in Leeds, employing around 4,000 staff across its stores and headquarters in the city.
ASDA Stores Ltd is a subsidiary of the American Walmart corporation and operates over 600 stores throughout England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
In Leeds, it has nine stores located in various locations across the city as well as its headquarters located near Roundhay Park.
ASDA’s mission is to provide customers with everything they need from groceries to clothing and electronics at everyday low prices.
Asda also offers a range of job opportunities at its stores which offer competitive salaries and benefits packages to its employees.
5. Yorkshire Building Society
The Yorkshire Building Society (YBS) is one of the largest employers in Leeds. Founded in 1864, YBS has over 6 million customers and around 1,400 employees spread out across 23 branches in the region.
YBS offers its employees a range of benefits and opportunities for growth, such as flexible working hours, training and development programmes, and discounts on financial products.
This organisation is also dedicated to giving back to its local community by supporting charities and volunteering initiatives.
6. Ernst & Young LLP
Ernst & Young LLP (EY) is one of the biggest employers in Leeds and one of the largest professional services firms in the world.
The company provides a broad range of assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services to clients across multiple industries.
EY employs over 2,500 people throughout Leeds and surrounding areas, with its head office located in Leeds City Centre.
The company focuses on creating value for its clients by helping them solve business challenges with innovative solutions and providing high-quality service that exceeds their expectations.
7. Sky UK Ltd
Sky UK Ltd is one of the largest employers in Leeds with 2,500 employees in the city. The company provides satellite television, broadband internet and telephone services to customers in the United Kingdom.
It is part of the Sky Group which is owned by Comcast Corporation and operates its headquarters from Isleworth in London.
The Leeds site focuses on software development, customer care and engineering operations making it an important employer for the region.
8. KPMG LLP
KPMG LLP is one of the leading employers in Leeds and the surrounding area. With over 1,000 employees based at their Leeds office, they are the biggest employer in the region.
They provide a range of services including audit, tax and advisory services to clients across a variety of industries. They have been established in Leeds for over 70 years and have developed a strong reputation for excellence and innovation in their service offerings.
KPMG’s commitment to its employees has seen them named as one of the best places to work by Glassdoor in 2020.
9. Leeds City Council
Leeds City Council is the largest employer in Leeds, accounting for around 11,000 employees and providing many different services to the local community.
The council is responsible for a range of areas such as housing and transport, as well as education, leisure and culture. It also provides the city’s waste management services and runs several parks across Leeds.
The council works with partners including the police and fire service to ensure that everyone living in Leeds is safe and secure.
10. Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd
Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd is one of the biggest employers in Leeds, England. The company operates more than 1,200 stores across the UK and employs over 160,000 people.
In Leeds alone, Sainsbury’s has seven stores and employs over 2,000 people in the city. It is a major employer in the city and provides jobs for many local people in a variety of roles including retail assistants, store managers and customer service staff.
Key Takeaways
- Leeds is a hub for many large employers including the University of Leeds, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Centrica plc and ASDA Stores Ltd.
- There is a wide variety of industries represented with prominent employers in the banking, retail, IT and professional services sectors.
- Leeds City Council remains one of the largest employers in the region with almost 15,000 employees.