You have had a varied career and worked in various roles across Huddersfield. Can you tell us about your current roles and what drives you?

Firstly, I’m Group CEO for a group of local manufacturing and engineering businesses. Around 85% of what we make is exported around the world to places like Dubai, Finland, Iceland, South Africa, and the USA so we’re really putting Huddersfield on the map. My role is to showcase our excellent products, create business links and boost our exports even further. We put a Union Jack and ‘Made in Huddersfield’ on every product, we’re incredibly proud to champion UK manufacturing and Huddersfield.

Alongside that,I set up Innovate Yorkshire with my former Chief of Staff, John Travis, from my time as a Member of Parliament. We help businesses and organisations across the region navigate the challenges they face. We use our experience and contacts to guide and support those we work with, to assist in resolving any regulatory, legislative or exporting issues.

I’m also proud to be working with Fantastic Media as their ambassador for Manufacturing and Engineering. Andy Hobson and the team offer real world advice to business owners and key decision makers in companies across a range of sectors. Having seen Fantastic Media’s success in helping the likes of Thornton and Ross, Trojan Baths and Woodcock and Wilson, I jumped at the opportunity to work with them to help other local firms grow and create more quality jobs.

Finally, I proudly serve on the Business Board of Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice. I’ve run the London Marathon twice to raise funds for them, and I’m passionate about promoting the fantastic work they do.

All my roles come back to championing Huddersfield. At the heart of our heritage is engineering, textiles, and manufacturing, and it’s about creating good-quality jobs, offering real opportunities, and keeping that local talent here in the community.

Can you tell us about Innovate Yorkshire and why you started the business?

I’ve always worked closely with local businesses. My Dad ran a business, my brother has his own business and when I was an MP, I spent a lot of time visiting local engineering and manufacturing firms, bringing defence ministers to see their work and making sure supply chains were strong so we could create and protect local jobs.

That experience inspired me to start Innovate Yorkshire to help local businesses be successful. When local businesses thrive, people have good jobs, they feel proud of their work, and money circulates in the community. That’s the backbone of a strong local economy.

There’s also plenty of opportunity for young people in Huddersfield and we attend jobs fairs and promote apprenticeships to showcase the opportunities available locally.

You have worked in the Huddersfield community and with local people throughout your career. What is it that you love about Huddersfield?

I absolutely love Huddersfield. I travel all over the country with work, but there’s nothing quite like coming back home. It’s such a green town with beautiful countryside and truly impressive architecture. The train station is one of the most beautiful in the country, and I love that our town centre is so compact and walkable.

Huddersfield has this unique position right in the middle of Manchester, Leeds, and Sheffield but it’s not about trying to copy them. It’s about creating our own identity, making Huddersfield a place people are proud to live, work, and spend their leisure time.

I’m a huge Huddersfield Town fan and since my days in the RAF, I always look forward to coming back to watch the football!

There are currently several regeneration projects happening in Huddersfield, including the town centre and Cultural Heart. How do you think these projects will benefit Huddersfield?

There’s so much potential to make Huddersfield a go-to destination and for people to support local businesses.

The villages like Honley, Holmfirth, Marsden, Slaithwaite, Meltham and Lindley, are doing great with people going out to the cafés and restaurants where they live. I think the regeneration projects happening in the town centre are a great opportunity to give people more food and leisure options in the town centre such as the new food hall. We’ve got a chance to make Huddersfield a real destination.

There’s huge ambition from people like Kevin Nagle and others involved in the regeneration. For example, there’s huge potential to expand the Accu Stadium area such as building a large-scale hotel to host visitors for events and concerts, as well as conference rooms for local businesses to use. The plans for a new Rugby League stadium, if they can agree a site with the Council, are equally exciting and an opportunity to create a unique offering. I’m really looking forward to seeing it all take shape!

Huddersfield has always had a strong community spirit. Are there any local projects or initiatives that have really inspired you lately?

The Transpennine upgrade is a massive project that keeps Huddersfield at the heart of the region’s transport network, which is brilliant for local people and businesses.

I’m also proud to see progress on projects that I supported while in government like the campaign for the new A&E unit, which is so important for our community. One project that really stands out for me is the Crowther Mills in Marsden. The funding there will transform the site into a fantastic mixed-use site bringing new life, jobs, and making a beautiful part of Huddersfield more accessible.

What is your vision for Huddersfield’s future?

My vision for Huddersfield is of a confident, vibrant town that celebrates its heritage while looking forward. St George’s Square will be a modern but beautiful transport hub, connecting Huddersfield seamlessly to nearby cities and making it easy for people to visit.

I’d love for people from across the region to come into the town centre to explore the food hall and venues like The Light, enjoy our restaurants, and experience attractions like the Accu Stadium complex. And of course, we’ll always have our amazing countryside and hills on the doorstep, which are such a unique part of living here.

I’m feeling really positive about Huddersfield’s future, but it’s on all of us to make sure that we support new projects and support local businesses to thrive.

If you’d like to learn more about Jason’s work, you can connect with him here on LinkedIn or follow Innovate Yorkshire for updates on how Jason and his team are driving growth and impact for businesses and charities across Huddersfield.