West Yorkshire Business and Skills

What West Yorkshire Business and Skills does

West Yorkshire Business and Skills is the business and skills support service of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, a statutory government body established following the 2020 West Yorkshire devolution deal and operating from Wellington House in Leeds. It delivers programmes and funding to businesses of all sizes, adults seeking employment and retraining, young people entering the workforce, and the five constituent local authorities (Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, Wakefield), serving a regional population of 2.4 million residents. Its core offerings include the Business Growth Hub (a centralised digital gateway to funding, skills, innovation support and trade/export services), sector-specific support programmes covering healthtech and life sciences, advanced manufacturing, digital and technology, financial and professional services, green economy, and creative industries, plus skills programmes (Adult Skills Fund, Apprenticeships, Graduates West Yorkshire, Skills Bootcamps) and the Fair Work Charter employer certification.

The underlying technology platform comprises the westyorks-ca.gov.uk website, the Business Growth Hub portal, the Weaver Network integrated transport information system, the Adult Skills Fund digital portal, the MCard integrated travel pass, and the West Yorkshire Healthtech Ecosystem Directory. Underlying analytics are powered by Google Analytics, Microsoft Clarity, and Hotjar, with embedded video delivery via Vimeo and YouTube; the entity is also implementing Procurement Act 2023 changes using the TOMs framework and Social Value Portal for supplier due diligence. Integration and interoperability are the primary technology differentiators rather than proprietary AI/ML capability.

Revenue mechanics are entirely public-sector: the Combined Authority is funded through devolved central government budgets, grants, and contributions from the five constituent local authorities and the Mayor's office, with no commercial pricing published. It commissions services, infrastructure projects, and programmes across the region rather than selling products or licences. The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer across residents and businesses, supplemented by partner-delivered channels through local authorities, universities, schools, colleges, employers, jobcentres, and community organisations.

Name

West Yorkshire Business and Skills

Legal name

West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Website

https://wybusiness-skills.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

West Yorkshire Business and Skills is the business and skills arm of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, delivering funding, training, and innovation programmes to businesses, residents, and local authorities across five districts serving 2.4 million people in Yorkshire, England.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Sector Economic Development

NAICS

Support Activities for Transportation (488), Other Support Activities for Transportation (48899), Support Activities for Rail Transportation (4882)

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial Transportation, Roads & Public Works Administration (BPAIABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN), Transportation (Road, Rail & Maritime) (EDABALBA), Landscape, Turf & Groundskeeping Trades (EDAOAOAC)

Keywords

• Regional business support
• Skills training programs
• Public sector funding
• Economic development services
• Workforce upskilling

Headquarters

HQ city

Leeds

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Government funding and devolved budgets: The Combined Authority receives central government devolved funding for transport, skills, economic development, policing and crime. It uses these funds to commission services, infrastructure projects and programmes across West Yorkshire. The authority is funded through the West Yorkshire Mayor's office and five constituent local authorities (Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, Wakefield).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

West Yorkshire Business and Skills, a delivery arm of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, provides publicly funded business support, skills and employment programmes, and integrated transport services across West Yorkshire. It operates the Business Growth Hub, the Weaver Network public transport system, the Adult Skills Fund programme, and sector-specific business support in healthtech, advanced manufacturing, digital/tech, financial/professional services, green economy, and creative industries.

Product overview

West Yorkshire Business and Skills (part of West Yorkshire Combined Authority) operates as a multi-service platform offering business support, skills development, and transport services across the region. The core offering includes the Business Growth Hub as the central gateway to services, supplemented by sector-specific support programmes for advanced manufacturing, healthtech and life sciences, digital and technology, financial and professional services, green economy, and creative industries. Strategic plans (West Yorkshire Plan, Local Growth Plan) guide regional development, while transport initiatives like the Weaver Network deliver integrated connectivity. Skills programmes including the Adult Skills Fund and Apprenticeships support workforce development, with the Fair Work Charter providing quality employment standards. The offering functions as an ecosystem where businesses access multiple support services through the unified Business Growth Hub portal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• West Yorkshire Business Growth Hub
• Weaver Network
• Adult Skills Fund Programme
• Graduates West Yorkshire
• Fair Work Charter
• Mayor's Big Ideas Challenge
• Healthtech and Life Sciences Sector Support
• Advanced Manufacturing Sector Support
• Digital and Technology Business Support
• Financial and Professional Services Support
• Green Economy Support
• Creative Industries Support

Quantifiable outcome

• Over £1 billion in transport investment over the next five years
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments8 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bradford Metropolitan Borough CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of five constituent local authorities of West Yorkshire Combined Authority. The council works in partnership with the Mayor and Combined Authority to deliver devolved services in transport, skills, housing, regeneration and community safety across the Bradford district.
• Calderdale CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of five constituent local authorities of West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Calderdale participates in the region's devolved governance structure, contributing to strategic planning and service delivery across all Combined Authority portfolio areas.
• Kirklees CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of five constituent local authorities of West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Kirklees collaborates on regional initiatives including the Huddersfield Health Innovation Incubator and the Textiles Futures programme.
• Leeds City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of five constituent local authorities of West Yorkshire Combined Authority and host authority for the Combined Authority's headquarters at Wellington House, Leeds. Leeds is the primary economic hub of the region.
• Wakefield CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of five constituent local authorities of West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Wakefield participates in regional governance, including policing and crime oversight and place-based regeneration initiatives.
• West Yorkshire PolicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Combined Authority works closely with West Yorkshire Police on policing and crime functions, community safety, the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership, the West Yorkshire Anti-Slavery Partnership, and joint approaches to modern slavery. West Yorkshire Police also process HR and vetting information on behalf of the Combined Authority.
• Regional Strategic Procurement GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA forum through which the Combined Authority collaborates with local partners on procurement and supply chain matters, sharing common risks and lessons learned to improve collective efforts against modern slavery and for social value.
• West Yorkshire Anti-Slavery PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-agency partnership including representatives from local authorities, West Yorkshire Police, voluntary and community services, and the private sector, working together on anti-slavery awareness and enforcement across West Yorkshire.
• University of LeedscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Leeds is a key innovation partner through the Nexus innovation centre, the Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology (CFIT), and the Health Innovation Leeds Incubator. It provides research, talent and facilities supporting business innovation across the region.
• University of HuddersfieldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Huddersfield supports the region through the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre, the Huddersfield Health Innovation Incubator, the Carnegie Innovation Sport Healthtech Incubator, and the National Health Innovation Campus. It also offers the Research Courses with Industry scheme.
• University of BradfordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Bradford supports healthtech and digital businesses through the Digital Health Enterprise Zone and the Bradford Digitisation Hub, providing academic expertise, research capabilities and scientific instrumentation for the region's innovation ecosystem.
• Leeds Beckett UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeeds Beckett University contributes to the innovation ecosystem through The Knowledge Exchange (connecting businesses with academic expertise and innovation programmes) and the Carnegie Innovation Sport Healthtech Incubator.
• NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs the heart of the NHS, West Yorkshire has deep healthcare partnerships underpinning the £3 billion healthtech ecosystem. NHS relationships are central to the Propel Healthtech accelerator, Health Innovation Leeds Incubator, and all health-related innovation pathways.
• West Yorkshire Manufacturing ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA regional manufacturing support organisation listed alongside other partner resources to support manufacturers with services and expertise in the West Yorkshire manufacturing ecosystem.
• Yorkshire WaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYorkshire Water partners with the Combined Authority on environmental and nature restoration projects, including the 'Landscapes for Water' initiative bringing back lost clough woodlands across Calderdale.
• Health Innovation Yorkshire & HumbercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe health innovation body for the region, providing the Pathway Navigator tool and connecting innovators with the West Yorkshire healthtech ecosystem. It is a key strategic partner for healthtech business support.
• FinTech NorthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinTech North is a key sector network for West Yorkshire's fintech cluster, hosting FinTech North Leeds events and recognized as one of the top four fintech hubs in the UK per the Kalifa Review. The Combined Authority supports and collaborates with this network.
• Bank of EnglandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWest Yorkshire is home to a Northern hub of the Bank of England, contributing to the region's status as a major financial and professional services hub alongside the Financial Conduct Authority.
• Financial Conduct AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWest Yorkshire hosts a Northern hub of the FCA, complementing the Bank of England's presence and strengthening the region's regulatory and financial services ecosystem.
• MedilinkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedilink is the life sciences network referenced as a partner resource supporting healthtech and life sciences businesses in West Yorkshire with networking, knowledge exchange and business development.
• Made SmarterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational manufacturing technology adoption programme signposted by the Combined Authority to support West Yorkshire manufacturers in adopting automation, digital manufacturing and net zero technologies.
• Calderdale and Kirklees Manufacturing Alliance (CKMA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA manufacturing alliance supporting businesses in Calderdale and Kirklees with peer networks, knowledge sharing and sector-specific support, listed as a partner resource for advanced manufacturers.
• Textile Centre of ExcellenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA sector support organisation for the textile industry in West Yorkshire, providing training, research and development support to textile manufacturers, including companies like AW Hainsworth.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority: Mayoral combined authority with devolved adult education budget, transport and housing responsibilities. Operates a directly comparable skills and business growth support portfolio, albeit with a more innovation-led sector mix.
• North East Combined Authority: Combined authority covering seven North East councils with devolved powers over transport, skills and economic development. Operates a directly comparable integrated transport system (e.g., the Tyne and Wear Metro/Nexus model) and skills funding portfolio.
• West Midlands Combined Authority: Mayoral combined authority covering seven metropolitan boroughs with comparable devolved transport, skills, productivity and economic development functions. Operates directly comparable programmes such as the Adult Education Budget, Business Growth Hub and integrated transport ticketing.
• West of England Combined Authority: Mayoral combined authority covering Bath, Bristol and South Gloucestershire with similar devolved powers over transport, skills and business support. Provides a directly comparable model for integrated transport (MetroBus) and skills devolution programmes.
• Liverpool City Region Combined Authority: Mayoral combined authority covering six boroughs with similar devolved responsibilities for transport, skills, business growth and housing. Operates an analogous strategic plan, growth programmes and integrated ticketing (MetroCard) model to West Yorkshire.
• Tees Valley Combined Authority: Mayoral combined authority covering five Tees Valley councils with similar devolved functions including transport, skills, business investment and innovation. Comparable in scale and in operating Freeport/HYDRON-related investment zones alongside business growth support.
• South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority: Mayoral combined authority serving Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield with devolved responsibilities for transport, skills and economic development. Closely comparable in regional industrial heritage, mayoral structure and Skills Bootcamps delivery model.
• Greater Manchester Combined Authority: Another UK mayoral combined authority covering ten districts with devolved powers over transport, skills, economic development and policing. GMCA is the most mature UK devolution model and operates a directly comparable integrated transport, business growth and skills portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Greater London Authority: Strategic regional authority for London with the Mayor of London, overseeing transport (TfL), policing (MPS), skills (London Skills & Employment) and economic development. Operates a much larger portfolio at a wider geography but serves as the benchmark UK devolved regional model.

Regional players

• Transport for the North: Statutory sub-national transport body covering the North of England with strategic transport planning powers but no skills or policing remit. Comparable on transport strategy and investment planning but operates at a wider geography than West Yorkshire.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/westyorkshireca
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/WestYorkshireCombinedAuthority
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheCombinedAuthority
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/west-yorkshire-business-and-skills
• Instagraminstagram.com/westyorkshire_ca/?hl=en

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about West Yorkshire Business and Skills