Yesterday, a major £5M Humber Freeport funded industry collaboration space at the CATCH facility in Stallingborough has officially opened, further strengthening the role of CATCH as a hub for industry engagement, skills development and knowledge sharing across the Humber, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire regions.
The facility was formally opened by Simon Green, Chief Executive of Humber Freeport, alongside industry leaders, partners and regional stakeholders.
The centre will provide a hub for industry collaboration, member networks, conferences, education partnerships and skills development linked to emerging sectors such as hydrogen, carbon capture and renewable energy, helping to support new investment and job creation across the Humber industrial cluster.
Originally announced during a ground-breaking ceremony in 2025, the development introduces a modern space including a central atrium, lecture theatre, event and breakout areas, an immersive AR/VR suite, a dedicated member lounge and a new Humber Suite.
The project has been supported by more than £5 million of funding from Humber Freeport through its seed capital fund, alongside £1.8m of private sector investment and forms part of the wider CATCH expansion programme with partners Viking CCS members Phillips 66 Limited, Harbour Energy, Drax Group and Associated British Ports (ABP), plus Air Products and Uniper to scale up the training of industrial workers.
Katie Hedges, Chief Strategy Officer, said: “With the support of Humber Freeport, we now have a facility that reflects the scale of ambition across our region. Our new centre represents an important investment not only in facilities, but in the strength of our membership community. CATCH was founded by industry for industry, and this space will allow our members to come together to collaborate, share expertise and shape the future of skills and industrial growth in the region.”
Simon Green, Humber Freeport’s CEO, said: “CATCH’s new facility provides high-quality, modern spaces which will stimulate collaboration and innovation, bringing together industry and academia for the benefit of our young people and local communities.
“Through the Freeport’s seed capital fund, we were delighted to support the expansion and celebrate an important milestone in CATCH’s own story and growth.
“CATCH’s commitment to skills development, including being home to the UK’s largest welding training facility, is critical to our region’s economic prosperity and ensuring the Humber has a future workforce properly equipped with the right expertise.”
Paul Fursey, VP, UK Lead Executive, Humber Refinery said: “The new collaboration space at CATCH is an exciting next step in this development, creating a safe and inspiring environment for apprentices to learn, grow, and collaborate while ensuring a pipeline of skilled talent to fuel the region.
“The Humber is at the heart of energy and security resilience, and one way we can support this is by investing in future talent and creating opportunities necessary for them to thrive. By fostering an environment where skills are honed and innovation is encouraged, we ensure the region’s continued growth and contribution to the energy sector’s stability and advancement.”
Graeme Davies, EVP CCS Harbour Energy said: “The opening of CATCH’s new centre represents an important investment in skills development and knowledge sharing across the Humber. CATCH plays a vital role in bringing industry together and helping ensure the skills and capabilities needed to deliver projects like Viking CCS are in place. Collaboration like this is essential to building a skilled workforce that can support the region’s industrial future.”