Leaders from some of West Yorkshire’s most influential healthtech companies, NHS organisations, universities and innovation bodies have come together to relaunch the West Yorkshire Healthtech Cluster Group, strengthening a partnership that has championed the region’s healthtech sector since 2019.
The revitalised cluster brings together businesses, NHS organisations, universities, innovation agencies, investors and public sector partners to accelerate the development, adoption and commercialisation of healthcare innovation across the region.
The relaunch comes as West Yorkshire’s healthtech sector continues to grow, with more than 300 businesses employing over 16,000 people and generating around £3 billion in annual revenues.
Richard Paxman OBE, Co-Chair of the West Yorkshire Healthtech Cluster Group and CEO of Paxman, said:
“West Yorkshire is already home to one of the UK’s most dynamic healthtech ecosystems, with world-class research, a strong NHS presence and a growing community of innovative businesses developing solutions to some of healthcare’s biggest challenges.
“The relaunch of the West Yorkshire Healthtech Cluster Group marks an important step in bringing that community together. By working collaboratively, we can raise the profile of the sector, attract investment, accelerate innovation and create new opportunities for businesses across the region.”
The cluster has already played a significant role in supporting innovation and growth. Working alongside Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber and Innovate UK, partners helped deliver the HealthTech Launchpad programme, which provided funding of up to £1 million to support dozens of businesses to scale and grow.
The partnership has also brought industry, academia, the NHS and policymakers through initiatives such as the ‘Future of Innovation’ Conference in November, which attracted more than 300 delegates to Leeds, and helped shape the EPSRC-funded Yorkshire MedTech programme to accelerate research and commercialisation opportunities across the region.
Cluster organisations were also instrumental in securing West Yorkshire’s £160 million Healthtech Investment Zone, a ten-year programme supporting spin-outs, start-ups and scale-ups while investing in new research, office and laboratory space.
Edward Bellamy, Chief Executive of Radar Healthcare and Co-Chair of the West Yorkshire Healthtech Cluster Group, said:
“West Yorkshire is one of the UK’s largest and most influential healthtech clusters, with a growing global reputation for healthcare innovation. Home to more than 300 healthtech businesses, 16,000 employees and £3 billion in annual revenues, the region combines world-class universities, strong NHS partnerships, leading health data assets and a thriving entrepreneurial community.
“What sets West Yorkshire apart is its ability to turn innovation into real-world impact. Every day, organisations across the region are developing, testing and deploying technologies that improve patient care, support healthcare professionals and strengthen health systems.
“This relaunch builds on the strong foundations already in place and reflects the scale of our ambition to position West Yorkshire as a leading destination for healthtech innovation, investment and growth.”
Working across industry, the NHS, academia and government, members will strengthen links between innovators and healthcare providers, support business growth and help more health technologies reach patients faster.
The partnership will also champion the region nationally and internationally, showcasing West Yorkshire’s strengths in digital health, medical technology, diagnostics, artificial intelligence, clinical research and health data.
The group comprises the following organisations:
ABHI, Aire Logic, Asclepius, BioNow, Bradford MDC, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Department for Business and Trade’s Office for Investment, DePuy Synthes (Johnson & Johnson MedTech), DigiBete, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, Innovate UK, Julia Price PR, Kirklees Council, LabSkin, Leeds Academic Health Partnership (LAHP), Leeds Beckett University, Leeds City Council, University of Leeds, Medilink, Medipex, Medwise AI, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust (MYTT), Nexus (University of Leeds), National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), NIQS Tech, Optum, Paxman, Pd-m, PinPoint Data, PXN Ventures, Radar Healthcare, University of Bradford, University of Huddersfield, Wakefield Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).
