Brandon Medical was proud to welcome Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, to its Leeds headquarters on 8th April 2025 to officially launch the region’s £160 million Investment Zone — a transformative initiative designed to position West Yorkshire at the forefront of investment healthcare innovation.
Mayor Brabin’s visit marked a milestone not only for the region’s economy but also for the UK’s healthtech sector, with Brandon Medical chosen as the launch site in recognition of its trailblazing work in SMART operating theatre technology and its deep roots in the local innovation landscape.
Mayor Tracy Brabin has been instrumental in putting healthcare innovation at the heart of West Yorkshire’s growth strategy. Her £7 billion Local Growth Plan, unveiled earlier this year, prioritises investment in the region’s fastest-growing sectors — with healthtech chief among them.
At Brandon Medical, the Mayor unveiled the first phase of the Investment Zone: a £4.5 million Healthtech Accelerator that will provide world-class support for up to 240 healthtech startups and scaleups. Delivered in partnership with Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, the Accelerator will offer access to finance, regulatory guidance, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities to help businesses grow and commercialise breakthrough medical technologies. 
Mayor Brabin said: “Our flagship Healthtech Accelerator will support these businesses with finance and skills, and our investments in new workspaces will bolster their collaboration with hospitals and universities, boosting their growth and helping us build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire.”
Adrian Hall, CEO of Brandon Medical, added: “We’re really pleased to see this kind of backing for healthtech in West Yorkshire. It shows real commitment to the kind of innovation that makes a difference — not just to businesses like ours, but to the NHS and the patients it serves.
We’ve always believed in building things that solve real problems. That’s what drives our work — designing SMART systems that make operating theatres safer, more efficient, and ready for the future. We want the best of the best for tomorrow. We understand our part in transforming global healthcare, forging the train tracks to lead towards that future.
This Investment Zone, and the Healthtech Accelerator in particular, is a huge step forward. It brings together the support, skills, and partnerships that businesses like ours need to grow — and to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in healthcare.”
Brandon Medical is a globally recognised innovator, designing and manufacturing high-performance medical technology from its base in Leeds. The company’s SMART systems are used in hospitals worldwide to improve patient safety, streamline clinical workflows, and future-proof care environments.
The visit concluded with a tour of Brandon Medical’s SMART operating theatre demonstration suite, engagement with apprentices on the production floor, and discussions with the company’s research and development team — highlighting Brandon’s contribution to jobs, skills, and advanced manufacturing in West Yorkshire.
