What Is Humber Business Week?

Job Title: Marketing and Business Development Consultant

Job Info: Pat is a seasoned marketing professional with over three decades of experience in marketing and business development. Her role encompasses managing multi-channel marketing projects, fostering a business development-led culture, and aligning the firm’s marketing strategies with its overarching business goals through innovative marketing initiatives and a client-focused business development strategy.

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: Managing Director

Job Info: Alistair is the MD and 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 and social channels and new web 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: 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: 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 and 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 three years as part of HBW and involved in other University events during the week.

Job Title: Founder

Job Info: With 30 years in business, ten as MD, I now work with ambitious business owners who are struggling to fully realise the potential of their business. Working either one-to-one mentoring or within my peer advisory board, I make sure owners are no longer going it alone.

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. I also hosted 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: 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: CEO

Job info: I have over 25 years’ experience of working within Voluntary and Community sector in and around the Humber region. I am the Founder and first CEO of Child Dynamix est. 2005, and for the past 8 years I have worked as the CEO of Hull University Students’ Union. The Union is an independent charity focused on championing student priorities and helping students succeed in their studies, whilst making the most of their time at university. The charity has elected student leaders (Presidents) who work alongside me to lead student democracy and fulfil their manifestos. We have a large trading subsidiary, which along with a grant from the University supports the services and activities in the Charity and provides over 200 student jobs each year.

Involvement with HBW: I have been involved with HBW since it first began and have always seen the value it brings to the region particularly from the Voluntary and Community Sector perspective. Over the years I have organised events, and in 2024 I joined the steering group to contribute to the coordination of this fantastic week.

Job Title: Sales Office Manager

Job Info: Katie 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 five 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 2025, the keynote speaker will be Piers Morgan.

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.

Job Title: Head of Marketing

Job Info: Alison drives the strategic marketing at Forrester Boyd, working alongside the partners to raise the firms’ profile and to ensure that client experience remains at the heart of everything we do. Along with her team, they manage not only the marketing function but also driving the support for the business development function. Having worked in marketing for over 30 years, the last 10 in professional services, Alison has a wealth of experience and has seen many changes and challenges that marketers have been faced with over the years.  In addition to her role within Forrester Boyd, Alison is also a trustee of the firms newly founded charitable foundation, The Bradbury Foundation. With her passion for helping marketers and firms to realise their potential Alison is also the Chair of the Marketing Taskforce within the UK200Group, a membership of over 50 accountancy and law firms across the UK and also sits on the UK200Group’s membership services committee.

Involvement with HBW:  Alison sat on the Steering Group for a year before the pandemic. This year sees her return to the steering group helping to raise the profile and involvement of firms on the South Bank of the Humber. “Humber Business Week is a great platform to showcase the exceptional talent and entrepreneurship that resides in the Humber. It is a chance to open the doors, share out stories, our knowledge and our insights and to inspire the younger generation.”

Job Title: Group Director of Business Engagement

As Group Director of Business Engagement, Chloe Tate leads the TEC Partnership’s work with employers, connecting businesses to the skills, training, and talent they need to grow. She is passionate about collaboration and strengthening industry–education links.

The TEC Partnership is excited to be part of Humber Business Week and to work with partners across the region to champion innovation, skills, and opportunity.

Job Title: Managing Director

After being brought up in the sunny climes of Zimbabwe, I arrived in London under dubious circumstances, with a rucksack, a sheepskin coat that had seen better days,  £50 cash  and a lot of ambition.

Since that time (and no small amount of adventure) I have worked in all aspects of business corporate and micro. I have been involved in starting several ventures from market stalls to screen printing, from public speaking training to local newspapers, and most recently, E-Factor Group Ltd.

I am a passionate believer in the importance of local business in The Humber region and encouraging enterprise in all parts of the community. I can honestly say, through all the roles I have held, there is nothing more challenging, more scary and yet more invigorating than running your own business.

Why I am involved in Humber Business Week.

I and everyone at E-Factor Group and The Business Hive are absolutely certain that local businesses are the lifeblood of this area’s economic growth and our mission is to ensure they are given all the meaningful support and recognition they deserve.  Being part of a week that promotes business across the entire Humber, and helping to make sure SMALL businesses are seen as a key part of that is the reason I am engaged with Humber Business Week.

Job Title: PR and Media Director

Job Info: David brings a wealth of journalistic experience to the well-established  creative communications agency, based in Hull, but active globally. He brings strategic insight, support and compelling content to clients across various businesses and organisations, helping raise profile, influence and succeed.

Involvement with HBW: A true ‘Humberist,’ Dave provides a holistic view of the region’s opportunities and challenges, with extensive knowledge of its key economic pillars, built on experience from reporting on business activity for nearly two decades. He brings access to an extensive network, including Humber Marine & Renewables, where he also sits as a director.

Job Info: ,Following 25 years at Phillips 66’s Humber Refinery, Nina has embarked on a new chapter, focusing on the people, partnerships and places that make the Humber special. Through NLS, her independent communications consultancy, she brings her experience in public affairs, communications, stakeholder engagement and storytelling to projects that connect organisations with the people who matter.

Nina is Founder and Chair of Not Home Alone, a volunteer run charity tackling loneliness and social isolation among older people by creating connection, community and a sense of belonging. She also volunteers with the RNLI at Humber, supporting the charity’s lifesaving mission and the people behind it.

Throughout her career, Nina has championed collaboration between business, education and communities, helping raise aspirations, develop skills and create opportunities across the region. She remains passionate about telling the Humber’s story, celebrating its achievements and bringing people together to make a meaningful difference.

Her guiding principles are reflected in her consultancy’s values: Connection • Clarity • Community.

Involvement with HBW: Having hosted and attended events throughout Humber Business Week, I’ve seen first-hand the difference it can make – bringing people together, sparking collaboration and creating opportunities that make a tangible difference to individuals, businesses and communities across our region. I’m delighted to continue supporting an initiative that showcases the Humber’s strengths, celebrates its people and helps build connections for the future

Job Title: Interim Chief Executive

Job info: Rio is an experienced marketing and events professional with over 20 years’ experience across agency, corporate and charity sectors. Her career has included running her own successful agency and later serving as Chief Marketing Officer for a £100m+ turnover organisation. Now working in the charity sector, Rhiannon leads marketing and fundraising at Sailors’ Children’s Society, which supports children and families in crisis.

Involvement with HBW: Rhiannon has been involved with Humber Business Week for over 15 years, joining the Steering Group and playing an active role in running and supporting events across the programme. Passionate about the Humber region, she is incredibly proud of the businesses that call it home and is keen to ensure that everyone has a seat at the table,  from local independents and small businesses to organisations across different sectors and the region’s flagship brands. Rhiannon is committed to championing collaboration, inclusivity and celebrating the strength, diversity and ambition of the Humber business community.

Job Title: Cluster Director of Sales
Job info: Katia oversees the commercial strategy for a full-service Hilton hotel in Hull, featuring extensive meeting and event facilities, accommodation, restaurant and rooftop bar, alongside a focused-service IHG property in Grimsby.
She is responsible for driving total revenue performance across all market segments, leading strategic account development, and delivering sustainable commercial growth across the cluster.
Involvement with HBW: Now in her second year of involvement, following the successful South Bank launch of Humber Biz Week at Holiday Inn Express Grimsby, Katia continues to support the initiative through providing event space, hosting Biz Week activities, contributing to the steering group, and championing the region’s hospitality sector.

Job Title: Head of Sales and Marketing

Job Info: Matt takes a lead in the commercial direction of Reality Solutions ensuring their growth remains strong and sustainable. Leading a sales team that is lead by consultative selling, Matt ensures that partnerships and connection are at the forefront of the Reality service. Leading the marketing team allows Matt to spread the message of how Reality do business and also support our nominated local charities.

Involvement with HBW: New to the steering group, Matt has long been passionate about the region and wants to set focus on how we can all work better together when connected. The region has an incredible business community and Matt wants to elevate that through considered collaboration during HBW.

Job Title: Marketing Manager

Job Info: Olly leads marketing at Future Humber, helping to strengthen Humber’s profile and champion the businesses, people and opportunities shaping its future. Working across Place, Investment and Talent, he focuses on purposeful marketing that builds pride, challenges perceptions and connects Humber’s ambition with wider audiences.

Involvement with HBW: Representing Future Humber on the Humber Business Week steering group, Olly will help connect Business Week with the wider Humber story, showcasing the region’s businesses, people and ambition and helping ensure the programme reaches and engages audiences across Humber.

Job Title: Social Media Manager

Job Info: Alicia is a Paid & Organic Social Manager at Diony, where she leads social media strategy, content and campaigns across a range of client accounts. She works across both paid and organic social, from planning and creating content to managing campaigns, analysing performance and sharing insights with clients. Alicia combines creativity, strategy and a strong understanding of social platforms to help brands grow, connect with their audiences and achieve their marketing goals.

Involvement with HBW: Alicia’s involvement with Humber Business Week focuses on managing and developing its social media and email marketing channels to raise awareness and increase engagement. Creating and coordinating content across the platforms, Alicia helps promote key events, speakers and updates, while building a stronger digital presence and extending Humber Business Week’s reach across the Humber region and beyond.

Job Title: Director of Regional Development

Job Info: With more than 30 years’ experience across regional development, I have led major regional programmes and partnerships, securing and managing more than £50 million of investment from European, national, regional and UKRI funding programmes. My work has included leading the growth of the Aura Innovation Centre, developing strategic regional initiatives and bringing partners together around shared ambitions for innovation, economic growth and societal impact.

I am passionate about the Humber and the opportunities that come from collaboration. I believe the region has enormous strengths, from its businesses and entrepreneurial spirit to its research, innovation and emerging industries, and that we achieve more when organisations work together.

Involvement with HBW: I am involved with Humber Business Week because it provides a fantastic platform to connect businesses and people, share ideas and celebrate the talent, ambition and innovation that exists across the region. For me, it is about more than a week of events – it is about strengthening relationships, creating opportunities and helping showcase the Humber as a great place to do business, work, invest and grow.

Job Title: Community Engagement Manager at C4DI.

Job Info: I’m passionate about bringing people together, creating meaningful connections and supporting the needs of our business community. I lead on events and engagement, helping to create opportunities for collaboration, learning and growth.

Involvement with HBW: Having hosted events for Humber Business Week for many years, I’m thrilled to be joining the steering group this year and playing a part in celebrating and connecting the fantastic businesses across our region.