MAYOR CHAMPIONS REGIONAL INVESTMENT

Published 7 November 2025 at 2:18pm

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard officially rang the bell to open the London Stock Exchange today, leading a high-profile trade mission to promote South Yorkshire as a thriving hub for innovation and investment, in the world’s financial capital. 

The two-day mission, organised by Yorkshire AI Labs and Digital Forge CIC in partnership with South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and Oberon Investments, brought together a dynamic group of entrepreneurs, investors, and tech leaders to showcase the region’s fast-growing digital and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Mayor Coppard delivered a keynote speech at the opening of the Stock Exchange, the financial heartbeat of the country, alongside five of South Yorkshire’s most pioneering companies: Exciting Instruments, Bow, FourJaw, and DigitalCNC. These businesses represent the cutting edge of South Yorkshire’s tech ecosystem and its global ambitions.

The visit marked a significant milestone in connecting South Yorkshire’s innovators with London’s capital markets and industrial investors. Delegates included leaders from investment banks, venture capital firms, and public market specialists, all keen to explore opportunities in the region.

The mission was all about championing South Yorkshire businesses highlighting it as a region that’s ambitious, collaborative and a place ready to grow. 

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said:

“The invitation to open the London Stock Exchange is yet more recognition that something exciting is going on in South Yorkshire. I’m proud to stand alongside some of our brightest, most ambitious businesses, flying the flag for a region that’s ready to lead, working with the best stock exchange in the world. 

“Our visit today isn’t just about celebrating success; it’s about opening doors to partners and investors. Our tech start-ups are now worth £3.3 billion. Sheffield is the fastest growing big city in the country over the last decade. Rotherham has seen faster productivity improvements than almost anywhere else in the UK since 2004. We’re home to the world’s first and best Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District, and one of only five places in the UK with a Defence Growth Deal.

“We’re building a bigger, better economy; and we want the world to be part of it.”

David Richards MBE, Founder of The Digital Forge CIC and Yorkshire AI Labs said:

“The Digital Forge exists to connect brilliant deep tech and hard tech companies with the capital they need to grow. These are world-class businesses building real technology with global impact — the kind of companies that will power Britain’s next industrial era.

“South Yorkshire was once the Silicon Valley of the Industrial Revolution, producing 85% of Britain’s steel and half of the world’s crucible steel. That same spirit of innovation is alive again today — this time in AI, robotics, and industrial intelligence.”

The mission highlights South Yorkshire’s growing position as a hub for deep tech and advanced manufacturing, supported by the region’s universities, the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and a new generation of founders driving the UK’s reindustrialisation. 

Bod Buckby, Head of UK Primary Markets – North, London Stock Exchange, said: 

“We are delighted to help showcase the incredible innovation and ambition emerging from South Yorkshire. Today’s event at the London Stock Exchange demonstrates the region’s ability to lead in advanced manufacturing and digital technology, and we’re proud to connect these pioneering businesses with new opportunities for growth.”

Adam Pollock, Head of Corporate Finance at Oberon Investments, said:

“It is rare to see this concentration of engineering talent and scientific innovation in one region. The opportunity now is to connect these exceptional companies to the City’s capital markets so they can scale here in Britain, not overseas.”