The woman in charge of marketing Leeds to international investors has set out her ambitious vision to create 7,000 new jobs in the burgeoning healthcare sector.
Lurene Joseph, chief executive of Leeds and Partners, said the city’s “constellation” of businesses, universities and NHS bodies creates a big growth opportunity.
It is estimated that the healthcare sector employs around 3,000.
Ms Joseph told an event yesterday that she hopes this will expand to 10,000 over the next 10-15 years.
She said the city has leading strengths in medical technology and health informatics which have the potential to drive innovation and wealth creation.
These strengths will be marketed to an international audience via UK Trade & Investment, the Government body.
Professor John Fisher, deputy vice chancellor of Leeds University, told the audience: “The joining up of the universities, the health service and private sector... will allow us to have potential to demonstrate and provide clinical evidence of effectiveness of innovations.
“That’s really important to improve the healthcare in the UK but to address the global markets because it’s that whole supply chain of manufacturing innovation with evidence at the end that will generate inward investment.”
Roger Marsh, deputy chairman of Leeds and Partners, said promoting innovation in healthcare could improve the health of the population and boost wealth creation.
A new Ernst & Young report said attracting new health-related businesses will provide opportunities for healthcare providers.
The Big Four accountancy firm is encouraging stronger links between universities and local businesses to develop and implement new innovations.
Governments around the world are grappling with ageing populations as people live longer.
At the same time, increasing numbers of people are suffering from long-term chronic conditions.
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