Biz Week team inspired by shining example of success
GETTING READY: Biz Week chair Pat Coyle, front, with some of the Hull KR board members, from left, Paul Lakin, Becky Oughtibridge, Sam Latus, Andy Steele, Paul Sewell, Neil Hudgell and David Kilburn
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
Humber Business Week harnessed the excitement of a year of success and optimism when its steering group ran into a fixture clash with the Hull Kingston Rovers board.
The December steering group meeting was held at Sewell Advisory at Bridgehead and, on hearing that the Robins’ directors – including Biz Week founder and Rovers chair Paul Sewell – were meeting in the same building, members of the steering group took inspiration from the spoils of the club’s treble-winning season.
Pat Coyle, chair of Humber Business Week, said: “We’re so grateful to Paul and his colleagues on the Rovers board for allowing us to interrupt their meeting and join them to admire their trio of trophies.
“The Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield and Super League Grand Final trophy are more than rewards for the team’s success in a memorable season – they also underline what can be achieved by business and sport working together.
“That sort of collaboration is at the heart of the Humber Business Week ethos and is helping us deliver bigger and better events every year.”
Humber Business Week will begin on Monday, June 1, 2026, and its steering group and south bank task force are now compiling the schedules for the ‘Get Ready’ events which will take place at the MKM Stadium in Hull on Thursday, January 22 from 9am until 11.30am and the Holiday Inn Express, Grimsby, from 10am until 1pm on Thursday, February 5.
In Hull, the event will review the achievements and impact of Humber Business Week 2025 and draw on the experience of people from the regional business community to share tips on how to deliver a stand-out event.
Among the presenters will be Helen Roberts and Kay Williams, who launched their Talented Women programme in 2020 and will explore ‘The Power of People’ and how to maximise the benefits of taking part in Biz Week, whether as delegates or event holders.
Mark Lonsdale, producer of The Business Day, will talk about the pulling power of the event at Bridlington Spa, which has become a Biz Week showpiece and will feature Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson as its 2026 headline speaker.
The Grimsby Get Ready session will focus on continuing to build the numbers of individuals, organisations and venues taking part in Biz Week by highlighting the level of support available for event hosts and exploring why it is important to be involved.
Pat said: “This year the Get Ready session proved very helpful for event organisers so we’re bringing it back and updating the content to reflect the fact that business doesn’t stand still.
“People who already know Humber Business Week are always looking for something different, and people who are considering getting involved for the first time might be nervous about what’s involved or where to start.
“Our steering group will share the know-how of those who’ve been around for years and the fresh ideas from recent newcomers to the week.
“Our Get Ready events are all about sparking ideas, sharing support and keeping Biz Week growing – bringing businesses together from both sides of the Humber.”
Biz Week will open with a full day of activities at the MKM Stadium in Hull, and on the Tuesday the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Expo at the Mercure Hull Grange Park Hotel.
Hull Truck Theatre is again making plans to host a full day of activities on the Wednesday, and Hull City Council will present a business breakfast on the Thursday.
For further information about The Business Day and to apply for tickets, visit www.TheBusinessDay.co.uk.
To keep track of the latest additions to the Humber Business Week programme and find out more about the Get Ready events visit https://humberbusinessweek.co.uk/