York Data Firm Secures Grant Thanks to Support from City of York Council

It’s always brilliant to see a local company doing well, isn't it? It's even better when they get a bit of a boost to help them take on the world. That's exactly what's happening right here in York, where a clever data business has landed some extra funding, all thanks to some well-placed support from the City of York Council. This story is a fantastic look at how local collaboration can lead to international success and fuel the growth of our economy.

So, what on earth is a data consultancy?

Let's talk about the company at the centre of this great news, Simpson Associates. They're a data consultancy. They take raw, messy data and turn it into something useful that helps organisations make smarter decisions. Their big mission is to “unlock the power of data for good,” and with over 100 people on their team, they’re doing just that for all sorts of public and private sector businesses.

A grant to fuel global growth plans

The really exciting news, announced on 30 Mar 2026, is that Simpson Associates has secured a £10,000 grant from the Get Exporting programme. This funding is all about helping a local business start its journey to trade internationally. For a data consultancy, to export doesn't mean shipping boxes; it means selling their expertise and services to clients in other countries. This is a huge step in their expansion plans. The funding itself is part of the Mayoral Investment Fund from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, showing a real commitment to backing ambitious local companies. This grant is a vital piece of support, providing the financial boost needed to explore new markets and begin generating significant export sales for the Yorkshire region.

The power of local council support

Getting a business ready for international expansion isn’t something that happens overnight. This is where the City of York Council stepped in to offer some fantastic support. The council’s Business Growth Manager, Louise Saw, worked directly with Simpson Associates to help them get ready for this next stage of their business growth. It wasn't just about pointing them towards a grant application. The support was much more hands-on. Here’s a look at what was involved:

• Connecting the company with the wider tech community in York, including networks like Tech York, to build more local connections.

• Finding opportunities for them to speak at regional events, helping to raise their profile.

• Signposting them to the Get Exporting grant to help with their overseas growth plans and another programme called Great Ideas to support new product development.

• Giving them feedback on their grant application before they sent it off, making sure it had the best possible chance of success.

This kind of targeted support from a dedicated business growth manager shows how a local council can play a massive role in nurturing a thriving local economy and helping a business achieve its goals.

Building an exceptional team for the future

At the end of the day, a business is nothing without its people. Simpson Associates knows this well, and they put a huge emphasis on finding and developing exceptional talent. They're always looking for the next generation of data experts and have built a strong career route for people right here in Yorkshire. They run a graduate development scheme with local universities, including the University of York, which provides a fantastic pathway for students to move from education into a specialist career. On top of that, they've recently taken on two apprentices, offering even more ways into the industry. This focus on its people and their development is clearly a cornerstone of the company's continued success.

A proven track record of success

This recent grant is the latest in a line of big achievements for the company. The business has been on a roll, picking up some serious recognition along the way. In 2024, they were named the Microsoft Community Response Partner of the Year, a massive international accolade. Then, in April 2025, they were chosen by His Majesty’s Treasury to work on a major government system for financial reporting. These achievements show that Simpson Associates is a leader in its field, trusted to handle incredibly important data projects at a national level. This success provides a solid foundation for their international expansion.

What the key players have to say

Cllr Peter Kilbane, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Economy and Culture, highlighted the company's importance to the region. He said:

“Simpson Associates is a fantastic example of the innovative, high growth businesses that make York’s digital and tech sector one of the strongest in the country. We’re proud to have supported their journey and to see them achieving national and international recognition and securing major government contracts. Their commitment to developing employee skills, using data for positive economic and social change, and regional collaboration aligns perfectly with our ambitions for York’s economy.”

Giles Horwood, the Chief Executive Officer of Simpson Associates, spoke about the team behind the growth. He commented:

“We’re really proud of the growth the business has seen in recent years, and a key part of that success has been the exceptional team we have at Simpsons. Our graduate development scheme forms a large part of our recruitment strategy, and it fills me with great pride that we offer a strong career route for people in York. The support from our Business Growth Manager, Louise Saw, has been extremely valuable in gaining access to initiatives such as the Get Exporting grant programme, helping us to progress further with our growth plans.”

Finally, David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, talked about the wider potential for the region. He said:

“York and North Yorkshire is brimming with fantastic businesses that have the talent and ambition to thrive on the global market. By funding Simpson Associate’s export mission, they can showcase their expertise in data consultancy to drive growth overseas. With our grant support businesses made more than £15 million in export sales last year. It’s time to build on that success with a bigger grant pot, unlocking the potential for businesses across the region to generate more than £45 million in export sales.”