Humber Business Week will officially launch for 2023 tonight in an event hosted by the incoming chair for 2024 – Pat Coyle.
The event traditionally announces a number of key events confirmed for this year’s ‘Festival of Business’, and acts as a rallying call for other businesses to confirm the details of their own events and ensure they are part of the programme between June 5-9th.
Following the announcement that Kath Lavery is stepping down as chair after her 14th and final year at the helm this summer, it has today been confirmed that highly experienced marketing specialist Mrs Coyle is to take over in 2024.
The Rollits Director of Marketing and Client Relations, has been part of the volunteer steering group which brings together Business Week each year for more than a decade, supporting Mrs Lavery in that time.
She has been involved in many of Business Week’s most successful events, including a number organised through her role on the senior management team at Hull law firm Rollits.
In her previous role as chair of the Institute of Directors (IoD) in East Yorkshire, she attracted high-profile speakers including Midge Ure and Kevin Keegan to an annual Humber Luncheon as part of the week.
That event is to return in 2023, this time organised by a group of local companies, but again under Mrs Coyle’s leadership.
That will include a guest speaker appearance from Carl Leighton-Pope, who during a career in the music business lasting over 55 years, has acted as agent for the likes of Patti Smith, The Motors, Dire Straits, Simple Minds, UFO, Bryan Adams, Van Morrison, Bonnie Tyler, Michael Bublé, Billy Ocean, and Chris Rea.
“Stepping into Kath Lavery’s shoes as the Chair of Humber Business Week is both a privilege and a challenge,” said Mrs Coyle.
“It’s a daunting task, but with determination, innovation, and collaboration, I look forward to building on the great work that has been done by Kath and the Steering Group to build on the event’s legacy and ensure a platform from 2024 onwards for businesses to connect, learn, and grow.
“Humber Business Week is an important event for our region, and I am committed to ensuring that it continues to be a success.”
Staple events set to return for 2023
Ahead of tonight’s launch event, which is being held at the Lexington Rooftop Bar & Terrace in the Doubletree by Hilton, Hull, from 4.30pm, it has been confirmed that Marketing Humber will once again kick off the week on ‘Destination Monday’ at the MKM Stadium.
Their event, aimed at all regional business leaders, employees and young talent, will see delegates ‘talk all things place’.
Other staple events returning include the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce Expo, and Paul Sewell’s ‘Elevenses’ interview event.
Mr Sewell, the founder of Business Week some 19 years ago, is to announce his interview guest for this year at tonight’s launch night.
Other events already confirmed and part of the schedule focus on issues such as the risks employers face from the increased use of online platforms, and how to maximise the opportunities they present, how to ensure messages are delivered successfully when public speaking, and the threat to business of data being hacked.
The collaboration of some of the largest industries in the Humber region to reduce their emissions and implement lower carbon solutions to manufacturing and power production is also being featured as part of the week.
The Business Day, at Bridlington Spa, is once again set to provide an inspirational climax to Humber Business Week, on Friday, June 9.
Gyles Brandreth returns to host and chat to speakers including decorated broadcaster Clare Balding CBE, Chair of Collaborative CEO at Bettys & Taylors Group Rachel Fellows, and Keith Reginald Harris, a London-based investment banker and financier with a 30-year career as a senior corporate finance and takeover advisor who has held senior executive positions at leading institutions Morgan Grenfell, Drexel Burnham Lambert, Apax Partners, and HSBC Investment Bank.
Businesses can still apply to host events
Mrs Coyle added: “Our launch night is always the kick-start to really bring Business Week together.
“Over the coming weeks we will be announcing new events to the programme continually, which always adds to the excitement and builds momentum towards the week itself.
“We expect new events to be confirmed in the lead up to the week, until we reach between 40 and 50 events in total, so I’d urge everybody who wants to be part of the week to follow our social media channels and keep checking the Business Week website for updates.”
If you would like to host an event at Humber Business Week 2023 there is still time to get involved – contact coordinator Sophie C Auskerin with any questions at S.C.Auskerin@hull.ac.uk or call 01482 466115.
Confirmed events for the week, from Monday June 5 to Friday June 9, will be listed on the Humber Business Week website and available to book.