Anchors (New)

Become a Leeds Anchor

Join a growing network of organisations using their influence, investment and commitment to Leeds to create jobs, strengthen communities and support sustainable economic growth.

Whether you're a business, public sector organisation, educational institution, healthcare provider or community organisation, becoming a Leeds Anchor is an opportunity to make a lasting difference to the city while connecting with others who share the same ambition.

Ready to get involved? Become a Leeds Anchor today and help build a fairer, greener and more inclusive Leeds.

Join here 

Why become an Anchor

Anchor organisations recognise that how they employ people, buy goods and services, manage assets and support communities can have a powerful impact on the places they serve.

By joining the Leeds Anchor Network, your organisation can:

• Support local jobs, skills and apprenticeship opportunities
• Strengthen Leeds-based businesses 
• Contribute to climate action and environmental sustainability
• Invest in stronger and healthier communities
• Collaborate with organisations 
• Share learning, ideas and good practice
• Showcase your organisation's positive impact.

Together, we can use our collective influence to create lasting social, economic and environmental benefits for Leeds.

What is a Leeds Anchor

A Leeds Anchor is an organisation with a long-term commitment to Leeds and the ability to make a positive impact through the way it operates.

Anchor organisations are typically:

• Rooted in Leeds and committed to its future
• Significant employers, service providers or community leaders
• Organisations with long-term local influence
• Committed to creating social value alongside their core purpose

Anchors can include businesses, universities, colleges, NHS organisations, housing providers, charities, social enterprises and public sector bodies.

Anchors in Action

The Leeds Anchor Network is focused on turning ambition into action and making the most of our collective power to improve outcomes across the city.

Together, Leeds Anchor organisations:

• Employ more than 61,000 people
• Support over 2,400 apprenticeships
• Spend more than £600 million with Leeds-based organisations
• Increased spending in Leeds by £90 million in 2024/25
• Pay 90% of employees (55,000 people) the Foundation Real Living Wage or above
• Have reduced carbon emissions by 139,000 tonnes over the past five years

These achievements demonstrate how organisations can create meaningful change through everyday business decisions.

Leeds Anchor organisations are already helping local businesses thrive and creating opportunities for communities across the city. One example is Leeds Beckett University's partnership with local supplier Tiffin Sandwiches:

"Leeds Beckett put their trust in us and this paved the way to our expansion. Starting as a tiny Bradford shop, we now employ 450 staff, have grown to five depots and are a proud nationwide supplier."

This is just one example of how local procurement can support business growth, create employment opportunities and strengthen the regional economy.

1. Create opportunities for local people to access good jobs
2. Buy from local suppliers
3. Care for the environment
4. Support local communities.

Tell us what you'll do and how you'll share your progress.

What you'll gain

✅ Access to a network of influential Leeds organisations

✅ Opportunities to collaborate on city-wide initiatives

✅ Practical tools, resources and shared learning

✅ Increased visibility for your organisation's impact

✅ Invitations to events, workshops and networking opportunities

Learn More

Read our latest Partnership Report to discover how Anchor organisations are helping deliver positive change across Leeds. The Leeds Anchors Partnership Report

You can also watch our short videos to learn more about what it means to be a Leeds Anchor and hear directly from organisations already involved in the network.