Tech North ready to bring in global talent to boost Northern firms

Law firm Ward Hadaway has teamed up with Tech North, an organisation set up to champion the digital sector in the North of England, to help identify the best international talent capable of boosting the regional sector.

The Top 100 UK law firm, which has offices in Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester, is working with Tech North on its Tech Nation Visa Scheme.

Flora Mewies, a solicitor at Ward Hadaway

Tech North has the ability to endorse applications for the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa – up to 200 exceptionally talented tech industry staff from outside the European Economic Area every year.

Immigration experts, Ward Hadaway, will provide legal support for companies across the North who are looking to employ a rising star in the tech industry and those individuals thinking of applying for a visa to work in the UK tech industry.

Richard Gregory, recently appointed head of Tech North, said: “Technology is a global sector and the competition for talent is often fierce.

“As such, it is important for companies who work within it in the UK to have the ability to bring in exceptional individuals from outside the country to keep them at the cutting edge.

“The experience and know-how of Ward Hadaway in the field of immigration law will be of great benefit to companies in the North who are considering hiring people from outside the UK as part of their growth plans.”

Flora Mewies, a solicitor in the employment team at Ward Hadaway, said: “The UK is one of the world’s leading lights in the technology and digital sectors with the North of England in particular a real hotbed of innovation.

“Whilst everyone is keen to ensure talented home-grown people get their opportunity to shine, it is a fact that to remain in the vanguard of the industry, tech companies here will need to bring in expertise from outside the UK from time to time.

“The Tech Nation Visa Scheme aims to help them do exactly that, ensuring that the economy in the North of England benefits from exceptionally talented individuals from overseas whilst keeping in line with Government immigration targets and policy.

“As such, we are delighted to be involved in the scheme, to be working with Tech North and tech companies across the North on ensuring the region benefits from a world of expertise.”