The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is establishing a new digital hub in Leeds to enhance its regulatory capabilities in digital health, AI-driven technologies, and healthcare software.
The facility, set to open in Wellington Place, will serve as a centre for software development, data science, and digital operations. It will also serve as a regional base for NHS England’s digital team, reinforcing the city’s growing role in health technology innovation.
The decision to locate the hub in Leeds reflects the city’s strong talent pipeline, with over 44,000 tech professionals and around 11,000 students enrolled in tech-related degrees. MHRA plans to recruit around 30 permanent, high-skill roles in the first phase, with potential for further expansion.
The move signals a broader strategy to decentralise regulatory expertise and strengthen collaboration across the North of England’s health and technology sectors. It comes amid rapid growth in AI and digital tools, which are reshaping NHS delivery and the wider healthcare ecosystem.
The new hub aligns with ongoing public and private investment in Yorkshire’s digital health infrastructure and is expected to create job opportunities and support innovation within the region’s tech economy.
