• Swindon & Wiltshire Tech
• Tuesday October 14 2025

Bristol named Lloyds Banking Group’s ‘AI Capital’ of the UK

Lloyds Banking Group has named Bristol its AI capital, as the UK’s biggest digital bank continues its transformation, placing the West of England region as one of the beating hearts of its AI operations.

Lloyds has nearly 1,300 tech and data experts working across the region, including around 650 data and AI experts – the largest hub of technology specialists for Lloyds Banking Group – with teams spanning behavioural science and engineering, to data and advanced analytics.

The Group launched its Centre of Excellence for AI in 2023, which is largely based in Bristol. It hosts more than 200 data scientists, including 50 PhD-level specialists in areas such as machine learning, AI ethics and data engineering.

The highly-specialist team is driving innovation across the Group, including enhancing customer service for its 28 million UK customers and deploying ethical AI across the organisation.

The Centre of Excellence also collaborates with leading universities and fintechs. Specialists are working with the University of Bristol’s AI for Collective Intelligence Hub to help the Group stay at the forefront of AI innovation while ensuring its deployment is safe and ethical.

The news comes as the West of England adopts its new Growth Strategy, which highlights the strength of digital and tech in Bristol and beyond.

Over the last decade in the West, the sector saw 52% job growth – the most of any region in the country, including London, and now contributes £3.8 billion a year to the regional economy.

The Growth Strategy sets out the West’s ambitions for the next ten years, including establishing the UK’s first AI Supercluster, centred on Isambard-AI, as part of the wider effort to create 72,000 new jobs and 28 per cent economic growth.

Adam Rainey, ambassador for the South West at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “AI and digital transformation is happening at a rapid pace and Bristol is at the vanguard. Crucially, it’s a transition being driven by research, knowledge and talent, all of which Bristol is teeming with.

“The role that AI plays in the West of England Combined Authority’s new growth strategy goes to show how ingrained AI is in Bristol and the region’s economies. Our role as one of the UK’s leading employers is to help realise those ambitions, providing a pathway for the region’s talent to build their skills and contribute to the West of England’s growth.”

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said: “Lloyds Banking Group naming Bristol as its AI Capital is a big moment. It’s another step towards our regional ambition to establish the UK’s first AI Supercluster, building on Lloyds’ specialist Centre of Excellence for AI and much more.

“In this new chapter for the West of England, we are working together to create more jobs across our region. Lloyds is a valued employer in our part of the world, including hundreds of new apprentices and graduates and nearly 1,300 tech and data experts.”

The Group has welcomed almost 350 apprentices and graduates in its Bristol hub since 2023, with many working in data and AI. They’re benefiting from working alongside the 200-strong AI Centre of Excellence to develop the skills needed for long-term careers in technology and engineering.

Trystan Davies, group head of data science and member of the AI Centre of Excellence at Lloyds Banking Group: “Bristol is at the beating heart of our technology transformation. We’re building high-performing teams here, investing in skills and creating long-term career opportunities for people across the region.”