More than 30 events head up Humber Business Week 2021
THOSE LOOKING FORWARD TO TAKING PART INCLUDE BARONESS WARSI AND ENTREPRENEUR PAUL SEWELL
MORE than 30 events have been confirmed for Humber Business Week, with organisers delighted with the ‘overwhelming’ support.
Postponed amid the grip of a pandemic last year, it is back for 2021, having been a staple of the regional business calendar for 15 years. Humber Business Week chair Kath Lavery said she has been “overwhelmed by the strength and quality” of events which will form this year’s platform – with a programme established to offer “something for everyone in business”.
Many organisations and personalities who have helped make the week such success in years gone by are again playing a central role. That includes the traditional ‘Bondholders’ launch from Marketing Humber on June 7 and The Business Day on the Friday - a three hour virtual event with several live elements included. Co-founder Paul Sewell is also playing a leading role throughout the week, conducting a series of interviews with high-profile names as an Elevensies slot each morning. As well as turning the tables on former BBC business-focused journalist and television presenter Steph McGovern, he will chat with consultant David Hall, and a ‘business focussed’ joint interview with Hull FC and Hull KR owners Adam Pearson and Neil Hudgell.
Also lined up to take part is Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, the former Conservative Party co-chair who became the first Muslim woman to serve in the British cabinet and held the roles of Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister and Minister of State for Faith and Communities.
The week of interviews will round off with former Labour MP and Home Secretary Alan Johnson switching chairs, to quiz Mr Sewell - who last year published his autobiography ‘Half a Lettuce’ as he reflected on his entrepreneurial journey to lead one of the city’s most
successful firms.
Other organisations planning events for the week include The University of Hull, the CIPD Humber Branch, The Department for International Trade Yorkshire and the Humber, law firms Andrew Jackson and Rollits, Barclays and the LEP.
They will cover everything from Covid impact - touching on business resilience, flexible working, business recovery strategies and adopt a ‘digital first’ approach - to new opportunities such as the recently announced freeport status to grant funding for energy efficiency.
“I have to say I am overwhelmed by the strength and quality of events
proposed for this year and I guess it goes to show that businesses truly value what Humber Business Week brings to the table and the positive impact it can have,” said Mrs Lavery. “With all the issues businesses have faced over the past 12 months, companies and organisations could have been excused for saying they just had too much on their plates at this time.
“There has been none of that though and there seems to be a renewed desire to be involved from many.
“Businesses want to share their experiences and learnings of the past 12 months and help others thrive in what is now a very different world.
“There are also many business support organisations which are passionate about using Humber Business Week to help ensure our region takes full advantage of the many new opportunities on the horizon.
“It is humbling, and quite thrilling as the programme will offer something for everyone in business.”
Organisations can still propose events to be staged during the week by contacting programme coordinator Sophie Auskerin via S.C.Auskerin@hull.ac.uk, or by calling 01482 466115.
The full programme, detailing all events and how to book places, is to be announced later this month.