Overview

Hexaware Technologies (NSE: HEXT), an AI‑first digital and IT services firm, hosted a delegation from the Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire mayoral offices as part of The Great North’s inaugural joint mayoral‑led trade mission to India. The visit, led by Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, and Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester, took place at Hexaware’s Mumbai office on 23 October 2026.

UK Expansion and Job Creation

Hexaware announced a £25 million expansion programme for the United Kingdom, projected to generate approximately 1,200 jobs over the next three to five years across Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham. The plan allocates 420 positions in Manchester and 240 in Leeds, with the remaining roles distributed in Birmingham and other future sites. In addition, the company disclosed a £9 million investment to establish a Design and Innovation Centre within Manchester’s SISTER innovation district, a collaboration with the University of Manchester that will create hundreds of new jobs and provide access to Europe’s largest clinical academic campus on the Oxford Road Corridor.

R&D Centres and Future Locations

The expansion includes the creation of research and development centres in Manchester and Leeds, while Newcastle is being evaluated as a potential additional site, leveraging the region’s strong university talent pool and proximity to Scotland. Hexaware’s strategy focuses on building technology capabilities and recruiting graduates from local universities, training them for enterprise and public‑sector engagements.

Partnership with the University of Leeds

During the delegation, Hexaware and the University of Leeds formalised an agreement to deepen industry‑academic collaboration. The partnership will facilitate joint research, knowledge sharing and experiential learning opportunities for students, strengthening the talent pipeline for Hexaware’s growing UK operations. Glenn McCauley, Head of Proposition Development at the University of Leeds, described the agreement as a catalyst for regional economic growth.

Prior Engagements in Bengaluru

On 14 October 2026, Hexaware senior leaders met Bev Craig in Bengaluru together with representatives from the British Deputy High Commission and Invest Manchester. The discussion centred on Hexaware’s investment plans for Greater Manchester and the broader UK expansion.

Executive Commentary

Parameshwaran Iyer, Executive Vice President & Head – Europe at Hexaware, highlighted the North of England as a critical component of the company’s UK growth, emphasizing the importance of university talent and the new Leeds agreement. Bev Craig praised Manchester’s strengths in healthcare, life sciences and AI, welcoming Hexaware’s investment as a boost to innovation and employment. Tracy Brabin expressed enthusiasm for the job creation in West Yorkshire and the broader opportunity to deepen UK‑India business links.

Demographic and Trade Context

The press release notes that more than 81,000 people of Indian heritage reside in Yorkshire and the Humber and 50,000 in Greater Manchester, with thousands of Indian students attending universities in these regions annually. The India‑UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), effective from July 2026, provides a supportive framework for the expanding trade and investment relationship.

Ongoing Initiatives

Hexaware will continue discussions with regional partners on the proposed R&D facilities, graduate recruitment programmes and technology collaborations across the North of England, drawing on Leeds’ expertise in digital engineering, data science, robotics, fintech and technology‑enabled care, and Manchester’s capabilities in healthcare, life sciences, cyber security and AI.

About Hexaware

Hexaware is a global technology and business process services company that enables enterprises worldwide to achieve digital transformation at scale and speed through partnerships that build, transform, run and optimise technology and business processes.