The Business, Professional and Financial Services (BPFS) cluster is one of South Yorkshire’s most vibrant and diverse clusters. It embraces the range of traditional and new economies from financial, professional and insurance services to IT support, customer service and
e-commerce/ m-commerce.

The region has a vast pool of skilled professionals and is growing fast. Some 1,600 companies employ nearly 30,000 people. Companies already investing in the area include HSBC, Freemans, Dixons, William Hill, Royal Mail, Powergen, Norwich Union, Direct Line, Nabarro Nathanson and international law firm DLA. The Government is also following the trend with over 3,000 employees already located in South Yorkshire, with more to follow.

There are over 106 BPFS university courses at both Sheffield Hallam and Sheffield University ranging from Accountancy, Economics and Business to IT, Maths and Computing. Many of the local colleges and univerisites now offer tailored courses in conjunction with local businesses helping businesses to develop the expertise they need. In South Yorkshire a higher than average number of graduates in full time degree courses remain in the local area as their first destination of employment. More graduates from homes based outside the area stay in South Yorkshire, in comparison with the proportion of local students leaving the area, resulting in a net flow of highly trained expertise.

Barnsley has a number of strategic office schemes nearing completion, as office developers are now realising the locational advantages that the town has to offer. These include excellent access to the UK road network and the cost advantages of offices in Barnsley compared to locations such as Leeds.

A vibrant collection of business organisations and networking clubs have been developed in South Yorkshire offering all the support and advice needed to set up a business. Companies can network and do business with potential suppliers, partners and customers, identify new business opportunities and find out what is happening locally.