Yorkshire businesses show local loyalty as Employment Hero back region with Leeds United partnership

– New data from Employment Hero reveals strong regional confidence across Yorkshire & the Humber amid rising employment costs
– 64% of business leaders say they would recommend the region as the best place to start a business and 77% report they can meet their hiring needs with local talent
– At a time when businesses in the region are facing increased business costs, Employment Hero is strengthening its commitment to the region through a new partnership with Leeds United Football Club to deliver practical employment support

LEEDS, 5 March 2026: Nearly two-thirds (64%) of business leaders in Yorkshire & the Humber say they would recommend the region as the best place to start a business, according to new data from Employment Hero, the global leader in HR, hiring and payroll software. The findings come as Employment Hero announces a new partnership with Leeds United Football Club, deepening its presence in the region.

The data underlines strong regional confidence. More than three-quarters (77%) of SME leaders say they can adequately fill their staffing needs with local talent, slightly above the national average (73%).

That confidence translates into economic loyalty: 80% of business leaders in Yorkshire & the Humber say they have prioritised a local supplier over a cheaper national or international alternative. Together, the findings highlight a region that is confident in its workforce, committed to supporting local enterprise and optimistic about its future.

Proprietary data from more than 1,000 employees in Leeds* paints a picture of a city demonstrating resilience amid an unpredictable employment landscape. While overall employment growth is down year on year, hiring has rebounded sharply, with a 9% increase month on month in January 2026.

Employment Hero has identified Yorkshire & the Humber as a key growth region. The partnership with Leeds United FC forms part of a wider campaign to champion regional businesses and strengthen ties with communities across the UK.

Working with the club, Employment Hero will collaborate on a programme of activity to engage and support growing local businesses. This will include tailored experiences for business leaders at Elland Road, offering insight into how elite sporting organisations operate behind the scenes.

The joint programme will also include Employment Law and Compliance seminars for local businesses to help them navigate the significant changes facing employers in 2026 as a result of the Employment Rights Act. Employment Hero will also offer businesses across the region free access to its payroll services as part of an initiative to support SMEs during regulatory change.

Kevin Fitzgerald, UK Managing Director at Employment Hero, said: “Yorkshire & the Humber has a proud business heritage and a strong sense of local identity. Our data shows genuine confidence in local talent and a clear commitment to backing local suppliers. When you consider the pressures employers have faced, and the regulatory changes still to come, it’s remarkable that so many small businesses are continuing to hire and demonstrate real resilience.

“This partnership with Leeds United is about far more than matchday visibility. It’s about working with a brand at the heart of the community to deliver practical, meaningful support for local employers.

“We recognise the challenges small businesses are navigating. Our role is to celebrate their ambition and provide the tools and support they need to keep growing.”

Phil Hardman, Partnerships Director at Leeds United Football Club, added: “We are really pleased to welcome Employment Hero into the Leeds United family for the 2025/26 season, and look forward to engaging with their team and learning more about the support they can offer local organisations.

“As part of the new partnership, that we will look to develop over the last few months of the Premier League campaign, we are excited to have Employment Hero present at all upcoming fixtures at Elland Road.”