What Is Humber Business Week?

Job Title: Director of Marketing and Client Relations

Job Info: Pat’s main role involves leading and managing the marketing function within Rollits, which includes client relations, quality standards and business development. She also works closely with the partners and the senior management team to develop and implement the marketing and business strategy. A member of the firm’s SMT, Pat is a key part of the Operations and Risk Management Teams. If she had to sum up her role in a single sentence, it would be that “it’s about always looking forward”

Involvement with HBW: Pat is a member of the Steering Group for many years and assumed the role of Chair in June 2023 upon the retirement of Kath Lavery. Pat says “My ambition is that Humber Business Week will be seen as “more than just events” and become a platform for best practice, knowledge sharing, talent development, and inspiration. Committed to building upon the past success of Humber Business Week, we are now exploring new ways to further promote the region’s business landscape and support its thriving entrepreneurial spirit by showcasing the region’s talent, and future potential through diverse and impactful events and content.”

Job Title: Founder

Job Info: With 30 years in business, ten as MD, I now work with ambitious business owners who are struggling to release the potential of their business. Using the principles of our unique Loom Model © we help the owner increase the profits of the business and regain control of their time. The business is then in a position for the owner to sustain, scale or sell, now or in the future.

Involvement with HBW: Business Week has been a staple of my annual calendar since the beginning both attending events and being a part of events. Last year I put on an event to officially launch my business. Having experienced all parts of the week itself I was keen to join the Steering Group to use that for the benefit of others.

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer

Job Info: Jamie oversees the largest infrastructure charity in the region. HEY Smile Foundation supports other charities across the Humber area through funding, collaboration and working with the public and private sector. Smile’s work Empowering charities, people, and communities is the heartbeat of Smile Foundation Charity’s new direction. By inspiring communities, being a generous leader, and making a positive impact across the region, Smile creates a ripple effect that transforms communities and changes lives. ​Smile draws unique strengths from its mixed model of operation: grant making and community investments; Community development and support; nurturing a diverse asset base comprising people, knowledge, history and work alongside our corporate partners.

Involvement with HBW: Jamie is keen to work alongside the board to showcase the benefits of working with the voluntary sector, focusing on how local businesses can get the most out of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) whilst still having fun!

Job Title: Head of Executive Education & Business Engagement

Job Info: Leads the University’s development of Executive Education, Professional programmes and training that are industry-focused. His role facilitates partnerships and develops projects & programmes that address future skills and leadership solutions for the Humber region, nationally and internationally.

Involvement with HBW: Joe has been on the steering group for over 5 years and is involved in helping to transform and transition HBW through COVID. Joe has also been responsible for delivering the successful Leadership Lab workshops for the last 3 years as part of HBW and involved in other University events during the week.

Job Title: Creative Director

Job Info: With over 9 years of experience in Marketing, Ana heads up the content and creative departments within Diony.

Involvement with HBW: Providing marketing support that includes social media, design and media. Been involved since the start of 2023. Since joining, we have given the brand a bit of a refresh and modernisation.

Job Title: Managing Director

Job Info: Alistair is the MD & Founder at Diony, an ambitious brand and performance marketing agency that works across the UK, Europe and the US to help brands grow online.

Involvement with HBW: Alistair has been involved since the start of 2023 with an aim to build, drive and evolve the current marketing & social channels and upcoming web new platform for Humber Biz Week to extend its presence further afield from the Humber. Providing direction & strategy based on new and fresh ideas to take things to the next level.

Job Title: Inward Investment Project Manager

Job Info: Working across East Yorkshire my role is to support new investors and indigenous companies with information about the range of services available to support their needs.

Involvement with HBW: I have been a member of the group for 7 years and being part of HBW provides an exciting opportunity to raise awareness not only with our internal business support teams but also with new and existing businesses on the benefits of taking part.

Job Title: Media and PR Professional

Job Info: A media and PR professional who dates back to the days of hot metal and Imperial Typewriters. Phil has worked locally, nationally and internationally with some of the biggest organisations in the industry and for the last 15 years has run his own consultancy, Ascough Associates. He is a former President of the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce and current Chair of the Local Skills Improvement Plan.

Involvement with HBW: Connecting with the skills and training sector through the LSIP and encouraging the involvement of various clients. Phil also provides comms and PR support.

Job Title: Marketing Manager

Job Info: Paige leads Future Humber and Bondholders marketing and communications strategy, shaping an annual programme of activity to engage members and promote the Humber region. She works in partnership with Humber stakeholders to deliver initiatives that have a significant impact on the region’s brand, building consistent messaging about the Humber, to tell the story of a region rich in culture, opportunity and prosperity, to attract investment and fuel local economic growth.

Involvement with HBW: 3rd year on the Steering Group – delivers the Bondholders launch event (Destination Monday) and supports the steering group by reaching businesses and talent across the region and connecting them with Humber Business Week.

Job Title: Operations Manager

Job Info: Passionate & Chris heads up the Operations Team at the MKM Stadium, overseeing all matchday and non-match events. Ensuring the customer journey is as smooth and professional as it can be.

Involvement with HBW: Chris is a new member of the steering group, joining last year to offer his experience and guidance when holding an event. Chris is one of the faces behind the success of Destination Monday at the MKM Stadium for the past several years.

Job Title: PR and Content Executive

Job Info: A communications professional at Sewell Group, producing written and digital content to position the business as a great, innovative and ethical group amongst our internal and external stakeholders.

Involvement with HBW: Sewell Group has been part of Humber Business Week since the very beginning, hosting and attending events and representing the interests of local businesses on the steering group.

Job Title: Business Support Project Manager

Job Info: Over 25 years’ experience working in public and private organisations as well as community business partnerships, supporting both Businesses and Individuals in their growth and development.

Job Title: Director of Knowledge

Job Info: Leading a diverse portfolio, I drive initiatives related to knowledge exchange, consultancy, CPD, and executive education. My responsibilities extend to managing collaborative partnerships, overseeing the commercialisation of our academics’ intellectual property, and providing support for start-ups and spinouts.

Involvement with HBW: Emma has been involved with the steering group of HBW for 2 years now and has enjoyed coordinating the University’s role as an event holder and supporter of the week.

Job Title: CEO

Involvement with HBW: “This is the first year of been on the Steering Committee for Business week, its great to be part of such an amazing team of volunteers, and to be just a small part of bringing the Business week together this year.”

Job Title: Corporate Partnerships Manager

Job Info: Entrepreneur, & Multi-Award Winning Business Woman. Jo is Corporate Partnerships Manager at MS3 Networks and an Entrepreneur In residence at Hull University.

Job Title: Growth Hub Manager

Job Info: Leading the government funded Growth Hub business support agency in Hull and East Yorkshire since 2018, Jon oversees a team of business advisors and a suite of business support programmes to help drive the growth of businesses in Hull and East Yorkshire. Jon has over 10 years experience working with SMEs in the region and strives to ensure that business access to advice, support and funding is as streamlined as possible.

Involvement with HBW: Jon joined the HBW steering group in 2019, in order to represent the then Humber LEP and later HEY LEP, to ensure that the LEP plays a core role during each annual HBW. Jon oversees coordination of the HEY LEP’s business week activities, by liaising with the LEP’s Employment & Skills team, Inward Investment team and Investment Programme team, ensuring that the LEP plays a full an active part at each HBW

Job Title: Sales Office Manager

Job Info: Heads up the Sales Team for all non-matchday events held at the MKM Stadium, ranging from large Conferences, Corporate Dinners to small Staff Meetings, Weddings and Birthday Parties. Katie has over 19 years of Event Management experience, starting with the business at the age of 16.

Involvement with HBW: After many successful years of organising and hosting events at the stadium for different businesses during Business Week, Katie joined the Steering Group 5 years ago offering her knowledge and support to all stakeholder members and organisers when holding their events.

Job Title: General Manager

Job Info: Mark has been the General Manager of Bridlington Spa since January 2020 and prior to that was the Marketing Manager from 2012. He is responsible for the day to day operations of the venue overseeing a staff team of over 100. He is responsible for business planning, financial management as well as ensuring a diverse programme of events and activity 364 days a year, attracting more than 200,000 people to the venue. He has been involved with The Business Day since its inception in 2017, and as the Producer since 2020.

Involvement with HBW: Mark has been part of the HBW Steering Group since 2020. He is responsible for Producing The Business Day at Bridlington Spa, culminating as the final day of Humber Business Week. Hosted by Gyles Brandreth, previous speakers for The Business Day include Lord Sugar, Jo Malone, Clare Balding, Baroness Brady and Bob Geldof. In 2024 the keynote speaker is founder member of ABBA, Björn Ulvaeus.

Job Title: Enterprise Development Manager

Job Info: Transferred to Hull City Council following Local Government Reorganisation in 1996. Since then, Phil has led major regeneration projects, European funding bids, international trade, sector-based initiatives, flood relief, World Cup Host City Bid, business support, Enterprising Britain, European Enterprise Awards, key account management and inward investment.

Job Title: Head of Partnerships

Job Info: With over 18 years experience of supporting businesses with CSR, Tessa is part of Smile’s exec team and heads up Partnerships. She works with businesses to generate support for both Smile and the wider community. Her strength is collaboration, identifying opportunities for businesses to ‘give back’ locally with ease, through a range of strategic projects, events and volunteering, whilst ensuring employee engagement, brand exposure and fun!

Involvement with HBW: Tessa joined the steering group in 2024 to help bring new ideas and showcase the strength of the voluntary sector and the business benefits of working in partnership with charities.