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Leeds Welcomes British Tech Firm Specialising in Innovative AI Technology

UK tech start-up UtterBerry have purchased premises in the heart of Leeds to build a new manufacturing and innovation hub that will specialize in the manufacture of innovative AI and Machine Learning technology.

The hub, located on Sovereign Street, just a four minute walk from Leeds station will be used to design and manufacture UtterBerry’s pioneering contactless Covid-19 symptom scanners, which will work hand in hand with the Government’s contact tracing system to help avoid any future lockdowns. Once approved by MHRA, UtterBerry hope to roll out the scanners across the UK and worldwide, building the product on demand for national and international customers.

When the hub opens in autumn this year, UtterBerry will immediately be creating hundreds of new jobs in Leeds, targeting over a thousand new positions. They will also be taking on new apprentices each year and are set to work alongside a range of universities to nurture and inspire future engineers.

Welcoming UtterBerry to the city, Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, culture and education, said:

“We are delighted to be able to welcome Heba Bevan and her world-class technology business to Leeds. The city already has a thriving digital and tech sector and UtterBerrys arrival can only strengthen our reputation as a great place for businesses working in the field to locate, collaborate and grow.

“It is particularly pleasing to note that this high-profile investment will help unlock the potential of communities in Leeds and play a part in our recovery from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic by driving an apprenticeship programme and further skills training.

“UtterBerrys commitment to transformational technology also lines up perfectly with our determination as a council to harness the full benefits of new tech to support the delivery of services and improve outcomes for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our city.”

Founder and CEO Heba Bevan said:

“I am absolutely delighted to be opening our UtterBerry manufacturing and innovation hub in Leeds. There is so much talent in the area, and I want to invest in local people to create the jobs for the future. We’re proud to be bringing new and unique jobs to the area and to build the technology of the future in the heart of the city.

“As the nation builds back stronger after the pandemic, we are looking forward to building the manufacturing hub that will educate and train the next generation as well as give opportunities to local workers who may have lost their jobs due to Covid, or simply want a career change.”

The factory announcement follows the Chancellors news of the opening of the new National Infrastructure Bank in Leeds earlier this month and comes with support from Leeds City Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Leeds Enterprise Partnership and Santander UK.