Biz Week leaders ready for new challenge in 2027
BIG PLANS: Humber Business Week chair Pat Coyle, centre, with steering group colleagues who met to review the events of 2026 and start planning next year’s event
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
From a starring role for local students at the traditional launch event to another podium finish for one of the all-time great Paralympians as the curtain came down, Humber Business Week 2026 offered something for everyone with its action-packed programme.
Now the challenge is to match that or more for next year, and organisers are on the case with their review meeting already wrapped up and a date set for the first 2027 planning session.
Pat Coyle, chair of Humber Business Week, said: “After delivering more than 50 events during Biz Week 2025 we set ourselves the target of making this year bigger and better and it’s fair to say that – thanks to the efforts of hosts, organisers and delegates – we all smashed it.
“That success raises the bar again for next year but it also builds confidence. We ended up with more than 70 events, a truly eclectic mix covering both banks of the Humber and featuring an array of high calibre speakers.”
Students from Sirius Academy North and Healing Academy stepped up on the first morning to conduct interviews with business leaders and share their own views on the opportunities available to young people.
The Biz Week lunch attracted a full house to hear Kieran Breen tell his story of “a working-class kid and Hull economics graduate who went from Hull to Hollywood”.
Culture and business came together at Hull Truck Theatre when Hull’s UK City of Culture chair Rosie Millard joined Stewart Baxter, founder of Hinterland Creative and drummer with Hull-based Indie band Life, and Biz Week founder Dr Paul Sewell for a panel discussion about the importance of being curious.
HEADLINE SPEAKER: Tanni Grey-Thompson with host Gyles Brandreth at The Business Day
Representatives from big business included Alpesh Paleja, the CBI’s deputy chief economist, and James Sweeting, co-founder of Pipers Crisps, Lincoln & York, and Sumo UK.
Sport was again prominent in the programme with multiple Olympic and world cycling champion Ed Clancy the keynote speaker at the University of Hull dinner, and Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, winner of 16 Paralympic medals including 11 gold, the headline speaker at The Business Day at Bridlington Spa.
Mark Lonsdale, producer of The Business Day, said: “We’re hugely grateful to all of our wonderful sponsors whose incredible loyalty and support make The Business Day possible.
“As ever the atmosphere was exceptional, with inspiring contributions from our outstanding speakers, and it was a pleasure to welcome so many businesses and professionals together for another memorable day of networking, learning and celebration.”
Pat added: “It was great to start the week by getting students involved once again and their involvement will help us futureproof Biz Week, ensuring we stay relevant to the business leaders of the future.
“The big speaker names will always pull a crowd and we can always rely on the less familiar speakers to spring a few surprises. We’ll be getting together in September to do it all again and plan for Humber Business Week 2027, which will run from Monday, June 7 to Friday, June 11!”