Foreword

BY MIKE WHITEHEAD, Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce President

For most of us, a new year always starts with a sense of optimism for the future, but we know 2023 is going to be a challenging year for many in business.

With interest rates at a 30-year high, inflation predicted to persist, supply chain issues and a cost of living crisis hitting consumer confidence, there are many challenges for Humber businesses to deal with this year, but I know that many of the fantastic businesses in the Humber region we call home will not only rise to these challenges, they will thrive on them – and the Chamber of Commerce is always there, as it has been since 1837, to support them and help them on their way.

There is so much going on in the Humber, it is quite inspiring. You just have to look at the renewable energy sector and the work which is gathering pace to decarbonise the Humber, which is one of Europe’s biggest emitters of C02.

In the month that COP27 took place, I attended the launch at The House of Lords, hosted by Baroness Redfern, of the excellent Humber 2030 Vision document. The Humber Cluster is being promoted as being “the most important tool in the box” to achieving Net Zero and a speech by Shadow Climate Minister, Ed Miliband, echoed the same sentiments.

A few weeks later, Ed Miliband visited the Chamber of Commerce offices having asked the Chamber to get all of the key players in the Humber to meet him so he could hear for himself what was happening and what businesses’ frustrations were.

This was an excellent meeting and those present reinforced what fantastic work is being done in the Humber on Carbon Reduction. It also demonstrates the ability of the Chamber and its team to pull together such high level and influential meetings for the good of the region.

The Chamber has also relaunched its events programme for 2023. The Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards in May will again be a highlight of the year for many South Bank businesses whose success will be recognised and celebrated.

Chamber Expo on June 6 will be one of the key events in Humber Business Week which showcases a diverse range of companies from around the Humber. It is always a great opportunity to put your business in the spotlight and network with so many business folk.

I know I am biased, but I thought Chamber Expo was the best event of the week last year! The Mercure Hull Grange Park Hotel did us proud, with a fantastic venue and great food, but the main congratulations go to the Chamber Team for organising a brilliant event after two years of Covid.

There were many exhibitors who put on excellent displays with over 100 guests at the lunch with Cllr Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council, who talked about his vision for the City after being in post for only a month.

Later in the summer we will also be holding another of our popular Race Days at Market Rasen Racecourse – last year’s event was bathed in sunshine and guests had a fabulous Corporate Day at the Jockey Club owned National Hunt meeting.

Everyone enjoyed the glorious weather, lovely food, great company and superb racing at this most picturesque of courses.

I am a keen race goer myself and a regular at The Cheltenham Festival, but I did something I have never done before - judge ‘the best turned out horse’ and present the winning jockey his

Cup and sponsors presents. It was fabulous stuff!

The Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce is right at the centre of business in the Humber Estuary and will lead the way on all fronts. As a Chamber member, you are part of the team, benefiting from the services that we offer and I would encourage you to make time this year to attend some of the great events we run.

Whether it is one of the Business Award Ceremonies or one of our face-to-face networking events, we would love to see you there and learn more about your business. These events are where you will have the opportunity to talk openly and learn what other members are doing in their businesses in the face of all the challenges that undoubtedly lay ahead for us all.

Good luck for 2023, and remember the Chamber is always here for you. Why not give the team a call on 01482 324976