Bank of England set to increase Leeds headcount

The Bank of England is increasing its headcount in Leeds, with plans to have 10% of its staff based in the city by 2027.

The central bank aims to accommodate at least 500 staff in a permanent Leeds office, achieving this through voluntary internal relocations and a new Leeds-based recruitment campaign. It will look to maintain its overall current headcount.

Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey called the commitment “a fantastic opportunity for us better to represent the public, build stronger links with the local business community and help promote the work of the bank to a wider pool of talented workers”.

The bank noted that Leeds has a strong financial and professional services sector, considerable commercial real estate opportunities, an extensive higher education sector, and data, AI and green finance initiatives to support current and future skills needs.

It announced plans to create a northern hub in 2021 and opened its Leeds office last autumn, hosting up to 70 staff there. The bank first opened a Leeds branch in 1827 under its first agent, Thomas Bischoff.