US media, legal, technology and manufacturing businesses from Boston and New England attended a series of international trade events and one-to-one meetings in Leeds this week as part of the first Boston trade mission to Yorkshire.

The mission was led by the British American Business Council of New England, and accompanied by the British Government’s Consul General to New England, Harriet Cross. US businesses in the delegation included Virgin Atlantic Airways and Massachusetts PR firm Hollywood Agency.

The two-day US visit to the city was aimed at building trade relationships and discussing the potential of off-shoring between American and British firms.

Relationships between several of the US and UK businesses involved had already been forged by networking through ExportExchange, and other trade opportunities were discussed at a series of events hosted by Clarion; digital print giant Paragon; education analytics business Solutionpath; and audit, tax and consulting firm RSM. The US delegates also held meetings with Leeds organisations, including the city council, the University of Leeds and the LEP.

Rick McKenna, CEO of Boston advertising agency Wallwork Curry McKenna, said: “We have had a very warm welcome here in Leeds and it has been fantastic to meet, and forge links with, some of the many Yorkshire businesses that are involved in the same industry sector as ourselves.

“The US-British relationship is as vital now as it has ever been and I believe our visit will be a catalyst for growing international trade between our two regions.”

He added: “Yorkshire isn’t one of the best known parts of the UK to most Americans: it has been fascinating to see the blend of rich northern heritage and the super-modern Yorkshire digital industries that are thriving in today’s global economy.”