Two tenants in Bradford’s new £2 million City Hub development are on track for job-creating expansion Buckinghamshire-based financial performance management consultancy Opal Wave Solutions Ltd was one of the first to move into the Grade II-listed mill conversion on Peckover Street, Little Germany, and is expanding, thanks to Bradford Council’s city centre growth zone business rates relief scheme.

And new creative agency Harrison Mann, founded by three Bradford IT experts, has also taken space from where it is serving clients looking to boost their online marketing.

Opal Wave Solutions has increased its workforce tenfold from three to 31 split between Bradford, its Marlow base and the Middle East from where it provides offshore services.

The company has growth plans for the Bradford office, including transferring its global technical and back office operations to the city over the next 18 months.

There are currently four staff in City Hub with another being recruited Opal Wave offers IT-based services to help businesses improve planning, budgeting, forecasting and regulatory and statutory reporting. Technical and operations director Ahtishaam Khan said: “I have ambitious plans for the future of the Bradford office and am optimistic regarding continued growth of the company and its workforce.

“I am extremely keen to see some of the business’s success returned into the Bradford area and we are now looking at accelerating our growth and recruitment in the city. We very much appreciate the assistance provided by the Bradford City Centre Growth Scheme.”

Harrison Mann was launched by IT experts Richard Barker and Martin Davies who had collaborated as freelancers, and journalist and copywriter Assif Majid, who are all from Bradford.

Since its launch three months ago, the company has signed up clients including Virgin Atlantic, Visit Seychelles, London Design Festival, Mandarin Oriental, Quintessentially Travel, providing services such as website development, digital marketing, copywriting company blogs and social media marketing.

Harrison Mann is working with Invest In Bradford to give placements to new graduates.

Mr Barker said: “As more companies switch onto online marketing we see great potential to develop our business and create employment locally.”

The City Centre Growth Zone is part of a £35 million initiative funded by Bradford Council and the Government’s Regional Growth Fund.

For advice on how to apply call the Council’s Business Investment and Enterprise team on (01274) 437727.