Tracy Brabin leads West Yorkshire’s trading operations in Switzerland and Germany
Tracy Brabin has launched a five-day trade mission to Switzerland and Germany aimed at deepening economic ties, unlocking inward investment and creating new export opportunities for West Yorkshire industries.
The mayor arrived in Zurich with a delegation of 12 businesses, which is the first leg of a visit to Karlsruhe, Heilbronn and Stuttgart. Organized by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and supported by KPMG, the mission focuses on three key sectors: financial and digital services, health technology and advanced manufacturing.
Supported by the UK government, the tour is designed to strengthen trade links with two of Europe’s most advanced industrial economies and support thousands of jobs across Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Leeds and Wakefield.
“Europe is a very important trading partner,” Brabin said. “Investments from Swiss and German firms, as well as exports from local businesses, support thousands of good jobs across our region.”
The main purpose of the trip is to promote West Yorkshire’s £160m Healthtech Investment Zone, which aims to accelerate innovation in medical technology, diagnostics and digital health. The region’s seven universities and a strong medical research base are positioned as natural partners in the Swiss biotech system.
Delegates will also highlight Leeds’ potential as a financial centre. Often described as the “Northern Square Mile”, the region is home to 30,000 financial and professional firms employing nearly 300,000 people, with institutions including the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority represented in the area.
The mayor is expected to highlight the opportunities created by the UK-Switzerland Berne Financial Services Agreement and recent regulatory changes aimed at increasing competition.
Lucy Rigby, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said the campaign showed the UK was “open for business” and ready to deepen European relations.
In Germany, discussions will focus on AI-enabled manufacturing and sustainable transport systems, areas where Stuttgart and Karlsruhe are seen as global leaders.
West Yorkshire is preparing to launch its landmark Weaver Network in 2027, a major transport integration initiative, and is looking to learn from Swiss and German expertise in rail, engineering and urban mobility.
Business leaders on the trip say the mission provides access to new markets and investors. Carly Walter, CEO of the healthcare company MAGI, said that working with European partners will speed up product development and regulatory processes. Representatives from digital firms including The Data City and NextGen Zero sustainability communications are also participating.
The business objective is part of the West Yorkshire Regional Growth Plan and uses £2bn of funding to attract more private investment in transport, housing and skills.
For Brabin, the message is clear: West Yorkshire aims to position itself as an outward-looking, export-driven region competing on the world stage, and sees closer European ties as part of that ambition.
