A ‘golden age’ for Grimsby? Local business leaders explore town’s future at Greater Grimsby Series event

Is Grimsby entering a new “golden age”? That was one of the questions at the latest event in the ‘Greater Grimsby Series’, which brought together a host of local leaders from across business, sport, education, community and local government.

The event, on Thursday 26th February, was the third in the Greater Grimsby Series, which was launched in 2023 by law firm Wilkin Chapman Rollits to provide a platform for open discussion on the regeneration of Grimsby and the wider region.

Taking place at the Grimsby office of the local law firm, an audience of over 40 business leaders attended and heard from a panel of influential voices from across the area, chaired by Richard Askam, architect of Projekt Renewable and a Grimsby advocate.

The panel members were Wendy Ellis, CEO and principal of Franklin Sixth Form College; Simon Smith, non-executive director and vice-chair of Sofina Foods Europe; Sharon Wroot, interim chief executive of North East Lincolnshire Council; and Polly Bancroft, CEO of Grimsby Town Football Club.

The three main themes explored on the night were: Skills, education and youth development, local business growth and investment, energy and renewables.

The panel discussed the potential for a new “golden era” for Grimsby, drawing on factors such as the ongoing strength of the seafood industry, the town’s growing status as a green energy hub, and the value of community and youth projects, such as the Horizon Youth Zone.

Adam Ottley, Partner in the Corporate & Commercial Team at Wilkin Chapman Rollits, said: “We created the Greater Grimsby Series to bring people together for open, honest conversation about the town’s future, and it was encouraging to once again see such a wide range of leaders engage with the opportunities and challenges facing the area.

“Grimsby has strong foundations, and these events continue to show the value of working together in shaping what comes next.”

Previous events in the Greater Grimsby Series have focused on the renewable energy education scheme Projekt Renewable and Grimsby Town Football Club’s work in the community.

Richard Askam, architect of Projekt Renewable and a staunch Grimsby advocate, who chaired the event, said: “I was delighted to be invited back to my third Greater Grimsby Series event, once again delivered and enabled by Wilkin Chapman Rollits.

“Ten years on from being in the room at Wilkin Chapman Rollits when the Town Deal funding was first announced, it was wonderful to be discussing what is now happening rather than what might be.”

With more than 530 partners and staff located in Grimsby, Lincoln, Louth, Hull, York and Beverley, Wilkin Chapman Rollits is the largest law firm in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.

For more information on Wilkin Chapman Rollits, visit: www.wilkinchapmanrollits.co.uk