PEXA, an Australian pioneer in digital property transactions, has confirmed Leeds as the base for its UK expansion.
For over a decade, the company has transformed the Australian housing market, completing secure and efficient settlements for more than 20,000 families every week.
Having firmly established itself overseas, PEXA has brought that expertise to the UK, tailoring its platform to the needs of the market and officially launched its full proposition here in September 2025. Through its FCA-regulated system, lenders and conveyancers now operate in one secure digital environment, enabling seamless collaboration, automated fund settlement via the Bank of England, and almost instant registration with HM Land Registry.
The city had already become a cornerstone of PEXA’s UK strategy following its acquisition of Optima Legal in 2022, and has since grown into a base for much of its workforce. From this hub, the business has developed a platform tailored specifically for the UK market. The support of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and business leaders such as Sir Roger Marsh has underlined why Leeds is the right location for such an ambitious venture.
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Simon Wright, PEXA’s UK chief customer officer (left), highlights the significance of Leeds in shaping the business. He comments: “This city has provided us with the talent, vision and collaboration needed to grow. Leeds has an entrepreneurial culture that dates back centuries, and that spirit of innovation continues to drive the region today.
“This collaborative environment is very much part of Leeds’ DNA. The city’s commercial culture and spirit of innovation have deep roots, stretching back to when Yorkshire was a powerhouse of the UK’s industrial economy. That same culture of enterprise and ingenuity now drives its modern identity as a hub for financial services and digital innovation and provides the perfect environment for PEXA to thrive.”
PEXA is celebrating its new UK home with headline sponsorship of the Leeds Digital Festival, which celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2025. As a premier sponsor, PEXA sees the festival as a natural partner.
Wright explained: “The festival showcases everything we value about Leeds. It brings together universities, government and businesses of all sizes to tackle shared challenges. At PEXA, we believe the best solutions come from breaking down silos, and this event demonstrates the power of joined-up thinking.”
The company has already worked with local stakeholders to launch the Future Property Transactions Group, a collaboration across lenders, conveyancers, brokers, estate agents and technology firms aimed at resolving long-standing challenges in property transactions. Leeds provided the perfect testbed for this initiative, working towards insight and outcomes that could influence practices nationwide.
Wright added: “Leeds is already showing enormous capacity and appetite for innovation, and the festival showcases this strength on a national and international stage. For PEXA, it reinforces our commitment to the city that has become the heart of our UK operations and a critical base for our growth. Yorkshire’s thriving tech hub is a clear signal that the North is already a powerful force shaping the economy.”
