Issues arising from unconscious bias in the workplace will be brought to life during Humber Business Week (Biz Week) when employment law specialists take to the stage with actors at Hull Truck Theatre on Wednesday 4 June.
Ed Heppel, a Partner at Wilkin Chapman Rollits in Hull, will explore the possible impact of unconscious bias on such scenarios as recruitment, business relationships and decision making. Tom Saunders, Associate Director at the theatre, will work with professional actors to use performance to highlight the pitfalls as they act out potentially awkward encounters.
Pat Coyle, chair of Humber Business Week and Marketing & Business Development Consultant at Wilkin Chapman Rollits, said: “Tom and the actors did a fantastic job of capturing the attention and imagination of the audience at one of our Biz Week warm-up events earlier this year and it’s fair to say we’re bringing them back by popular demand.
“The previous performance was all about sales techniques and it made the most of artistic licence to highlight the best and the worst – right down to the painfully inept and ridiculous!
“Now we’re letting them loose with a new challenge and we’re sure people will be informed and entertained by the actors’ portrayal of the confusion which can be created by misunderstandings around unconscious bias at work.
“Expect a lively mix of comedy and catastrophe underpinned by key messages which will give you a deeper understanding of how unconscious bias can subtly shape professional interactions and decision-making. It will also equip you with tangible steps to build a more inclusive, fair, and legally robust workplace.”
The unconscious bias event takes place in the Hull Truck Theatre’s Godber studio from 2pm until 4pm on Wednesday 4 June and is the first of two events which will be presented by Wilkin Chapman Rollits during Humber Business Week.
The firm’s Grimsby office will be the venue at 11am on Thursday 5 June for a session on the social business dilemma in which Heidi Dawson – billed as a boundary-pusher, changemaker and coach – will look at the role of social value in modern business.
Heidi will deliver straight-talking insights and real-world examples and will lead a discussion on how organisations can achieve genuine social impact – not as a tick-box exercise, but as part of a responsible, values-led way of working which can support their communities in ways that are authentic, practical and sustainable.
The unconscious bias session is one of three taking place at Hull Truck Theatre on the Wednesday of Biz Week. The Elevenses chat between Humber Business Week founder Paul Sewell and boxer-turned-businessman Tommy Coyle will take place in the studio from 11am until midday.
Paul said: “Most people in the Hull area will have heard of Tommy Coyle, but who exactly is he? We’ll aim to focus on his career from market trader to Commonwealth lightweight champion and fitness entrepreneur, but there’s also Tommy’s role as King Rat in the Dick Whittington pantomime at Bridlington Spa this year. Who saw that coming?”
From 4pm until 5.30pm the theatre will host a free drinks reception to celebrate the first anniversary of the launch of Hull & East Yorkshire Creative Charter with Chief Officer Max May planning to unveil the organisation’s new report “Collaboration Without Borders”.
Max said: “Since we launched the Charter at Humber Business Week 2024 it has connected businesses and culture through its practical framework and free-to-deliver commitments. This event will give people the opportunity to network with like-minded businesses and cultural organisations and to hear about highlights from our first year from other Charter signatories.”
Janthi Mills-Ward, Executive Director and joint CEO of Hull Truck Theatre and a member of the Biz Week steering group, said: “It’s vital for the arts and culture community to work closely with business and we have built many strong partnerships over the years.
“Drama as a practice can help overcome communication barriers and we’re delighted to be involved with the unconscious bias event and also to act as an events hub for Humber Business Week in general. We hope that our involvement will encourage more people in the corporate world to see what we can offer both as facilitators/ trainers and as a venue for hire.”
Pat added: “The link with arts and culture runs through so much of the Humber Business Week programme and we are so grateful to all at Hull Truck Theatre for putting in such a huge effort to accommodate three events in one day. It underlines the venue’s status as an essential cultural asset for the region and a key contributor to our economy.”
To find out more about all the events and to book your places please visit https://humberbusinessweek.co.uk/events/.
Picture details
Ed Heppel (left), a Partner at Wilkin Chapman Rollits in Hull, and Tom Saunders, Associate Director at Hull Truck Theatre, who will lead a Humber Business Week event exploring issues around unconscious bias.
Further information
Phil Ascough, 07944 123352
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