Leeds has quietly become one of the UK’s most dynamic technology centres. With a strong heritage in financial services, a thriving digital ecosystem, and deep university links, the city has emerged as a natural home for global firms looking to scale in Britain.
Access to talent, a culture of collaboration, and the support of regional leaders have turned Leeds into a magnet for companies seeking both innovation and impact. For international businesses in particular, the city offers a gateway into the North of England’s fast-growing tech economy.
That is why PEXA, the Australian pioneer in digital property transactions, has chosen Leeds as the base for its UK expansion. For over a decade, the company has transformed the Australian housing market, completing secure and efficient settlements for more than 20,000 families every week.
Having firmly established itself overseas, PEXA has brought that expertise to the UK, tailoring its platform to the needs of the market and officially launched its full proposition in September 2025. Through its FCA-regulated system, lenders and conveyancers now operate in one secure digital environment, enabling seamless collaboration, automated fund settlement via the Bank of England, and almost instant registration with HM Land Registry.
The city became a cornerstone of PEXA’s UK strategy following its acquisition of Optima Legal in 2022 and has since grown into a base for much of its workforce. From this hub, the business has developed a platform tailored specifically for the UK market. The support of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and business leaders such as Sir Roger Marsh has underlined why Leeds is the right location for such an ambitious venture.
Simon Wright, PEXA’s UK chief customer officer, highlights the significance of Leeds in shaping the business. He comments: “This city has provided us with the talent, vision and collaboration needed to grow. Leeds has an entrepreneurial culture that dates back centuries, and that spirit of innovation continues to drive the region today.
“This collaborative environment is very much part of Leeds’ DNA. The city’s commercial culture and spirit of innovation have deep roots, stretching back to when Yorkshire was a powerhouse of the UK’s industrial economy. That same culture of enterprise and ingenuity now drives its modern identity as a hub for financial services and digital innovation and provides the perfect environment for PEXA to thrive.”
That culture of collaboration is central to the Leeds Digital Festival, which celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2025. As a premier sponsor, PEXA sees the festival as a natural partner.
Simon explains: “The festival showcases everything we value about Leeds. It brings together universities, government and businesses of all sizes to tackle shared challenges. At PEXA, we believe the best solutions come from breaking down silos, and this event demonstrates the power of joined-up thinking.”
The company has already worked with local stakeholders to launch the Future Property Transactions Group, a collaboration across lenders, conveyancers, brokers, estate agents and technology firms aimed at resolving long-standing challenges in property transactions. Leeds provided the perfect testbed for this initiative, working towards insight and outcomes that could influence practices nationwide.
For PEXA, choosing Leeds as the UK base from which it is building its future, combined with supporting the festival, is both a statement of intent and an investment in the networks that will help shape the property market of the future. It reinforces the company’s belief in Leeds as a centre of excellence and its determination to amplify the city’s influence far beyond the region.
Simon adds: “Leeds is already showing enormous capacity and appetite for innovation, and the festival showcases this strength on a national and international stage. For PEXA, it reinforces our commitment to the city that has become the heart of our UK operations and a critical base for our growth. Yorkshire’s thriving tech hub is a clear signal that the North is already a powerful force shaping the economy.”
Festival director, Stuart Clarke MBE, values the importance of such partnerships, saying: “The festival has always been about collaboration, and PEXA’s involvement highlights the strength of Leeds as a hub for innovation. Their commitment to the city shows how global businesses can thrive here and contribute to our shared success.”
