iGaming payments and identity solutions provider Yaspa has opened a new technology hub in Leeds as part of its expansion strategy. The company plans to recruit 20 software engineers by the end of 2025, beginning with an initial team of 10 senior backend Java developers.
The Leeds operation will be led by David Turner, formerly Head of Retail Development at William Hill, who also held senior roles in sports trading automation and technology leadership at Glean.
Yaspa, which uses open banking and AI to deliver real-time payments and identity verification services for regulated businesses, recently secured a $12m investment led by Discerning Capital. The company says its solutions are tailored to online gambling operators, supporting compliance, responsible gambling measures and payment optimisation.
The firm already operates from Shoreditch in London and has established a US entity in Atlanta, Georgia, with plans for a local office. Leeds was chosen for its concentration of gambling industry employers, including Sky Betting & Gaming, Paddy Power, Betfair and William Hill.
Yaspa’s Chief People Officer Chris Watkins said: “We see Leeds as the ideal location to open our second UK office, with access to a strong pool of software engineering talent. It also has a strong reputation for talent with experience in iGaming, thanks to the companies that are also located there.
“Our office is at a premium address, just a few metres from Leeds train station. It’s a serviced office, with stunning views across Leeds centre from our sixth-floor office, coupled with amazing services to ensure Yaspa employees have the best experience possible when working onsite.
“We’re growing quickly but we’ll walk before we can run. The immediate goal is to get a squad of mid to senior level engineers on board. They will focus on building the US product for us. As soon as that squad is at full capacity, we’ll hire for a second squad, taking us up to 20 within the year.
“Although we’re open to remote working, we’ve noticed a hybrid working model offers the best collaboration for success and employee growth. At Yaspa, we’re really big on culture, collaboration and transparency, so we want people regularly working together in-person.”
Yaspa’s Head of Engineering David Turner said: “When I heard about the opportunity to join Yaspa, it felt like the perfect role for me. I am passionate about creating a safe, supportive environment where engineers can do their best work and this role allows me to do exactly that – building a talented team in Leeds while delivering the technology to support Yaspa’s next stage of growth.
“What excites me most is that Yaspa has already done the hard part. It has found its value proposition, proved it works and is now scaling. My focus will be on growing the engineering team rapidly, with the aim of having two strong squads in place by the end of the year, initially dedicated to the US proposition, while making the most of the chance to apply best practice from the start.
“Yaspa has the momentum, the vision and the team culture to make a real impact, and I am looking forward to helping take that even further.”