PwC has been named as a partner of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.

The professional services firm, which recently opened a new office in One City Park, said it hopes to support the programme with its aim of "increasing regeneration and opportunities for the people of Bradford."

According to a PwC spokesperson, Bradford 2025 "plans to not just celebrate creativity, culture, and the arts, but to evolve the rhetoric around Bradford and the potential the city has - in terms of talent, economic growth, and business investment."

Andy Ward, PwC UK’s market senior partner for Leeds and Bradford, said: "We want PwC to be known as one of the key employers in Bradford, recruiting primarily from the local community, and playing an important role in the regeneration of the city.

"Bradford’s hosting of the City of Culture 2025 is seen as one of the key pillars to kickstart that regeneration, alongside a number of projects underway such as establishing improved rail connectivity.

"As a leading employer, we want to be a key part of this exciting time for the city and region.

"We’re very grateful to have the opportunity to support Bradford 2025.

"The year and the legacy beyond that will provide great opportunity for the arts to prosper in the region, and will showcase Bradford as a great place to live, work, and play."

David Adair, PwC UK’s director of community engagement, said: "Being the UK City of Culture will be a landmark moment for Bradford, and for the North region as a whole.

"It will create a lasting and positive impact on the people, artists, and organisations across Bradford district, and the team behind the City of Culture are committed to ensuring that all our distinctive local communities reap the benefits of this landmark moment.

"We’re extremely proud to be supporting such an important and exciting programme."

Dan Bates, executive director at Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, said: "Our partnership with PwC will ensure that this year of culture will have long-lasting benefits for the people, organisations, and businesses of the district.

"Through this investment, we are creating new opportunities for local residents which will have impact resonating far beyond 2025, shaping Bradford’s future as a vibrant, thriving hub for culture and innovation."

Almost 200 people are based at PwC's new Bradford office, and plans are apparently in place for this number to grow to around 500 employees over the next few years.