The value of a vibrant arts and culture scene to a thriving business environment was underlined as key figures behind a forthcoming production at Hull Truck Theatre took to the stage in front of a corporate crowd.
Stephen Tompkinson, a newcomer to Hull, confessed “it’s knocked my socks off” as he told how his first week in the city had made a lasting impression.
Adrian Hood, who appears alongside Stephen in Richard Bean’s comedy “To Have and To Hold”, said culture had helped Hull overcome its “downbeat reputation”.
Mark Babych, Artistic Director and Joint CEO of Hull Truck, teed up plenty of comedy moments as he directed the actors through a chat which explored the business connections with their work.
Pat Coyle, chair of Humber Business Week, said the trio had captured a business priority perfectly: “Some of the key themes that came across were laughter and people. We all need that in business.”
Hull Truck Theatre is represented on the Biz Week steering group and will again be playing a major part in presenting the annual festival of business. For the programme launch it welcomed business leaders from across the region who packed the studio theatre to hear a briefing on headline events, updates about the new Biz Week website and teasers from behind the scenes of To Have and To Hold.
A South Humber programme launch will be held from 5pm until 6.30pm on Wednesday 14 May at the Holiday Inn Express in Grimsby.
Pat said: “This year marks a significant milestone as it’s our 21sth birthday. Our very first event took place in 2004 and it’s incredible to see how the week has grown and evolved.
“We were particularly excited to unveil our brand new website which is a very user-friendly platform and a valuable resource, and is already helping us take Biz Week to a new level with more than 30 events already online.
“We hope Humber Business Week delivers with a truly remarkable experience for everyone. We have tried to keep it real! Are we revolutionary? We certainly think so because we believe no other region in the country delivers a week-long festival of business quite like we do in the Humber.”
Paige McGowan, vice chair of Humber Business Week, added: “The 2025 programme is packed with events designed to add value to your business and help develop your people – whether that’s through individual training, leadership insights, or conversations that spark new thinking.
“We’ve got events across a wide range of sectors and themes, bringing together public and private sector, third sector, SMEs, big employers, the next generation, and a growing presence from the South Humber too.”
Mark led a discussion on how businesses connect with art and culture and his fellow panellists spoke about the benefits which accrue from partnerships with Hull Truck Theatre.
Adrian said: “Businesses take their employees. It’s good for mental health and morale and productivity increases. If you are recruiting for your business or your workplace Hull has a lot to offer, fantastic museums, Hull Truck Theatre itself, great galleries, great restaurants. Business should use Hull and use Hull Truck and the surrounding arts and culture as a draw for people.
“It applies to education as well because drama is such an important part of any course, although it’s been reduced more and more. Because it’s not easily measured it tends to be overlooked, but I know through personal experience the outreach work with schools is very important because people develop the confidence to have conversations and to engage.”
Stephen added: “I have only been here a week and I have seen how busy the theatre is and what opportunities there are. It’s knocked my socks off seeing the studio and the creative workshops and the events like today. You see a lot of theatres just not as in touch with the community as you are here.”
Mark told of Hull’s “fantastic set of rich cultural assets” including Richard Bean, the locally born playwright who has featured some of the area’s attributes and character in To Have and To Hold.
Adrian drew a parallel between Hull and himself, as a child who only thrived when he discovered acting was a career option.
He said: “Hull had a similar downbeat reputation, it was never going to make anything, but it’s now possible to celebrate Hull. We should be really proud of Hull, proud of where we live and work. That’s really important.”
To find out more about the Humber Business Week programme – including tips on how to organise and register your own event – visit the official website at https://humberbusinessweek.co.uk/
To find out more about the South Humber programme launch on Wednesday 14 May visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/get-ready-for-humber-business-week-2025-tickets-1325153833789
“To Have and To Hold” runs at Hull Truck Theatre from Thursday 1 May until Saturday 24 May. To find out more and to book tickets visit https://www.hulltruck.co.uk/
Picture details
Humber Business Week chair Pat Coyle with (from left) Adrian Hood, Mark Babych and Stephen Tompkinson at the Biz Week programme launch held at Hull Truck Theatre.
Humber Business Week chair Pat Coyle.
Humber Business Week chair Pat Coyle (right) and vice chair Paige McGowan.
Further information
Phil Ascough, 07944 123352.
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