Humber leaders unite beneath Helios to position culture at the heart of growth

Delivered in collaboration between Future Humber, The Culture House and Humber Business Week, the event took place beneath Helios by Luke Jerram. The installation provided a powerful and symbolic setting, anchoring a conversation that positioned culture not as an add-on, but as a critical driver of economic growth, regeneration and long-term competitiveness.

The evening brought together a cross-section of voices shaping Humber’s future, with a shared recognition that culture plays a fundamental role in how places attract investment, retain talent and build confidence, both within communities and beyond the region.

Opening the event, Paige McGowan, Head of Marketing and Communications at Future Humber and Vice-Chair of Humber Business Week, set the direction for the discussion. This was followed by Pat Coyle, Chair of Humber Business Week, who officially launched Humber Business Week 2026. Pat highlighted the importance of collaboration across Humber, reinforcing that working side by side enables organisations to achieve more than they can alone, strengthening the region as a place to do business, develop culture and bring forward new ideas.

The focus then turned to Grimsby’s cultural trajectory, with James Trowsdale, Strategic Lead for Culture and Heritage at North East Lincolnshire Council, outlining how culture has evolved locally in recent years and the significance of the Town of Culture bid. James reflected on the role cultural activity plays in shaping pride of place, creating energy within communities and contributing to long-term economic and reputational change.

From a development and investment perspective, Dominic Gibbons, Managing Director of Wykeland and Chair of HEY Creative, reinforced the economic case for culture, stating that “culture should be viewed as a cornerstone of the economy.” Dominic highlighted how culture contributes to the commercial success of places, influences how they are designed and experienced, and plays a key role in building inward confidence among investors, businesses and communities.

Charlotte Bowen, CEO and Creative Director of The Culture House, spoke about the impact of cultural investment and the significance of hosting Helios in Grimsby. Charlotte described the installation as a symbol of a brighter future for the town, highlighting its role in raising pride, supporting local creatives and strengthening Grimsby’s identity as a place to live, work and visit. She also reflected on the wider impact of programmes such as Our Future Starts Here, demonstrating how cultural funding can translate into tangible outcomes for communities and the local economy.

A panel discussion and audience Q&A brought further depth to the conversation, exploring what culture means in practice and how it is experienced across Humber. Speakers reflected on culture as a source of vibrancy, freedom and connection, creating space for people to come together, step outside the day-to-day and engage with something different. Alongside this, the discussion acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly around funding, while reinforcing the importance of sustained collaboration across Humber to maximise the impact of cultural investment and activity. 

Taking place beneath Helios, the event transformed Grimsby Minster into a unique cultural setting, blending business insight with artistic experience. The installation provided a powerful visual backdrop throughout, reinforcing the role culture can play in attracting audiences, reshaping perceptions and creating a stronger sense of place.

The evening also marked the official launch of Humber Business Week 2026, returning from 1 to 5 June. Now in its 22nd year, Humber Business Week continues to act as a key platform for bringing together organisations, sectors and communities from across the region, with this year placing a renewed focus on opening up participation and encouraging new voices into the conversation.

Commenting on the event, Paige McGowan added: 
“There’s a real shift happening in how we talk about culture in Humber. It’s no longer something that sits alongside the economy, it’s a fundamental part of it. Culture shapes how we’re seen, how we feel about where we live and ultimately how we compete. If we want to attract investment, retain talent and build long-term confidence in this place, culture has to be part of that story. What this event showed is that when business, culture and the public sector align, you create momentum, and that’s what drives lasting change.”

The Business of Culture: Under the Sun signals a clear direction of travel for Humber, one that places culture alongside industry, infrastructure and innovation as a core part of its future.