Biz Week organisers learning from the past and building for the future as planning starts for 2026

INNOVATIVE: Pat Coyle

By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor

Humber Business Week has hit the ground running with its preparations for 2026 with several flagship events already confirmed and organisers hard at work on curating an engaging schedule aimed at attracting strong local and regional interest.

Pat Coyle, chair of Biz Week, said the steering group will stick to the key themes which made this year’s event such a success and incorporate new elements to build engagement and audiences across the week.

Pat said: “Humber Business Week continues to go from strength to strength and we are working hard to continue that by making it easy for people to connect and communicate with us. We are always looking for innovative new ideas – different things that will help more people in the local business community.”

As planning for Humber Business Week 2026 gets underway, with the week set to begin on Monday, June 1, 2026, the steering group is focused on ensuring the programme remains relevant and forward-looking – a priority shaped by the event’s 22-year history.

Pat said: “There are businesses and jobs which exist now that weren’t around when Biz Week started. Today’s workplace presents challenges and opportunities that didn’t exist 22 years ago – making relevance more important than ever for both employers and employees.

“They include the psychological side of employee wellbeing and diversity, internal marketing and the employer brand proposition. The business landscape is much more challenging now, particularly with recruitment and retention of staff.

“There’s also social mobility and value, plus ESG to consider. There are so many innovations and trends which have become relevant so it’s important to cover a wide range of topics throughout the week.

“We are constantly asking for feedback and looking to engage with stakeholders because Humber Business Week is a week for all businesses and organisations in the Humber. It’s inclusive and for everybody.”

Measurements of the growth and success of Humber Business Week include figures which show an increase of more than 36 per cent in LinkedIn followers, nearly 12 per cent in reactions to posts by Humber Business Week and nearly nine per cent in impressions.

SELL-OUT EVENT: The Business Day

Events already confirmed for 2026 include The Business Day at Bridlington Spa, which always sells out well in advance, and an economic business breakfast in Grimsby hosted by Forrester Boyd, Bridge McFarland, Systematic and the Grimsby Institute. Justin Urquhart Stewart, recognised as one of the UK’s leading economic voices, will return to address business leaders from both sides of the Humber.

Mark Lonsdale, general manager at Bridlington Spa and producer of The Business Day, said: “Although The Business Day is a stand-alone event it is the crescendo to Humber Business Week and we will be working more closely together to support each other.

“We were back in touch with our agency contacts as soon as Biz Week finished this year to talk about ideas for speakers for 2026 and we expect to be able to make an announcement about that in October or November.”

Pat said: “The steering group is in discussions already with Future Humber about their plans for the annual curtain-raiser event and we’re exploring ideas for the Humber Business Week lunch, which was at capacity this year for the return to the region of Phil Batty, CEO of Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and the former Director of Public Engagement for Hull’s UK City of Culture programme.

“Overall, we delivered more than 50 events and we expect to increase that number, not least with more activities on the south bank. We are well placed to add to our continued support for event holders with our steering group meetings booked all the way through to Biz Week itself and our ‘get ready’ advice sessions on the north bank and the south bank, which will also have their own programme launches.

“We are also exploring the opportunities for other events throughout the year which can add value for businesses, help to build networks and create sustainability and awareness throughout the year.”

Alison Mitchell, a steering group member who has led the drive to increase involvement on the south bank, said: “Humber Business Week has been a successful celebration of business success across the Humber for many years and raising the profile of the event and getting more businesses on the south bank of the Humber involved is a key driver for me.

“We now have a south bank sub group to channel ideas for getting more businesses involved. This year has seen the start of that and I hope to see more businesses hosting and attending events next year as we aim to support, educate, upskill and inform.”