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Three Yorkshire mayors have joined forces with a regional health leader in a new bid to boost economic growth.

For the first time, West Yorkshire’s Mayor Tracy Brabin, York and North Yorkshire’s Mayor David Skaith and South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard have united with Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber to launch a single, powerful proposition to potential investors.

They have produced a comprehensive overview of the infrastructure and assets supporting the development of health tech – the universities, life sciences companies, health organisations and advanced research centres which are part of a sector generating £5 billion in annual turnover.

‘Yorkshire: Investing together for a healthier economy’ is a product of the White Rose Agreement, the mayors’ landmark commitment to align around the region’s priorities and to work together to champion Yorkshire at home and overseas.

It will be used to help attract new businesses to the region and to encourage local start-ups and university spin-out companies to stay and grow, making use of the skills and support detailed in the report.

Yorkshire is home to more than 27,000 people working in biopharmaceuticals and medical technology, with over 600 life sciences companies, including global leaders in orthopaedics, diagnostics, digital health, precision manufacturing and child health technology.

Twelve higher education institutions teach more than 196,000 students across the region, with 46 per cent of undergraduates studying science subjects and over £150 million in collaborative research funding flowing through our academic community each year.

Total R&D expenditure in Yorkshire and the Humber reached £2.84 billion in 2024 alone.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said:  “South Yorkshire has always been a place that forges, transforms and changes lives. We’ve got world-class researchers, innovative businesses and the talent needed to lead the next generation of health technology.

“We’re leading the way too. South Yorkshire will likely be the first place in the country to have a Mayoral Health Commissioner, helping us bring together our ambitions for better health, better jobs and a stronger economy.

“By working alongside our partners across Yorkshire, we’re making an even stronger case for investment in our people, creating thriving communities, more good jobs for local people, and where businesses choose to start, grow and stay.”

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:

“Yorkshire is a powerhouse. We have world-class research, resilient businesses, and one of the most productive workforces in the country. As White Rose mayors, we are uniting to help global life sciences investors tap into that massive potential.

“With a unique geography that blends major cities, busy market towns, and thriving rural and coastal communities, Yorkshire is the launchpad for great ideas. If your innovation can succeed here, it can succeed anywhere in the world.”

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire said: “West Yorkshire is the heart of the NHS and UK healthtech, with over 300 innovative firms – powered by our £160 million Investment Zone – driving the development of lifechanging technologies, in partnership with some of the world’s leading hospitals and universities.

“Now, with devolution emboldening us to come together as one White Rose partnership, we can be stronger than the sum of our parts – creating skilled jobs, growing the UK economy, and sending a clear message to investors that God’s own county is where opportunity lives.”