Humber’s first place conference announced

Humber’s first place forum – an event to shape and strengthen the region’s shared identity and future – will take place October 19, led by Future Humber at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Hull.

The free-to-attend forum will explore and strengthen connections between place, investment, talent, and regional economic growth. It will bring diverse perspectives across business, local government, education, culture, tourism, and communities together to unite around a collective regional purpose, champion a shared story, and drive Humber’s future.

Hosted by place-brand pioneer Deb Oxley OBE – Future Humber Director, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the East Riding, and CatZero Chair – the forum will feature insights into the importance of placemaking and its impact. Through interactive sessions and keynote speakers from leading voices in place branding and regional development, the event will demonstrate how place acts as a driver of investment and economic growth.

The event line-up includes:

· Why Place Branding Matters More Than Ever, by Clare Dewhirst, Founder and Director, City Nation Place

· Beyond the City: Building a Regional Place Brand by Mark Mobbs, Assistant Director, South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority

· Strategic panel debate: One Place. Shared Purpose.

· Leadership forums exploring the issues shaping Humber’s future

· Discussions on harnessing place reputation to influence investment decisions, attract talent, and build regional pride.

Dr Diana Taylor, Managing Director, Future Humber, said:

“With major investment, new industries, changing governance and opportunities emerging across both banks, Humber is entering an important new chapter. But our future won't be shaped by investment alone. How people see this place, how we talk about it and how confidently we champion it matters.

“The region’s Place Forum will explore what makes Humber distinctive and how we tell that story with greater confidence. Humber is a place that is revolutionary in its ambition and ideas. Resourceful in the way its people make things happen. Remarkable in its contribution and potential. And unmistakably real in its character, communities and approach.

“The story of Humber doesn't belong to one organisation, one sector or one side of the estuary. It belongs to all of us.”

Clare Dewhirst, Founder and Director, City Nation Place, said:

“Belonging to a place is about more than your post code or the council you pay your taxes to. Real belonging – the sort that builds competitiveness and civic pride – is about believing in a shared vision for the future of your place. The places that can connect the dots between tourism, economic development, placemaking, and policy are the ones that will have the tools they need to thrive. It’s wonderful to see how Humber is championing their own joined-up, place-led strategy, and I look forward to speaking at Humber’s first place conference to prove why investing in a place brand is an economic necessity for competitive places.”

Finbarr Dowling, Chair of Humber Freeport, will discuss how place, investment and talent work together to create prosperous regions in the forum’s strategic debate: One Place. Shared Purpose.

He said: “The Humber is one of the UK’s most compelling locations for industrial investment. It is a place where industry, trade and ambition meet, with major opportunities in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, food, engineering and port-related operations.

“Make no mistake about it, the Humber is an industrial giant, contributing significantly to UK Plc and home to industries critical to the Government’s vision for growth and prosperity.

“Global companies are attracted to the Humber, due to its unique geological assets, skilled workforce, and strategic location. They see it as a great place to invest and do business.

“Significant investments deliver economic growth and high-value jobs, as well as creating a positive, lasting legacy for local communities. The Humber’s time is now – we must seize the opportunities available to the region and deliver on them.”

Joanna Rowland, Global Consumer Safety Director, Reckitt, is one of the event’s panellists in a leadership session focused on attracting, retaining, and inspiring talent.

She said: “"This is an exciting event to further shape and strengthen the region’s shared identity and future. The organisations that will succeed in Humber will be those that continue to attract, develop and retain talent, while inspiring people to see a future for themselves and their careers in the region.

“As someone who has benefited from a career in science and industry within the region, I am passionate about helping create an environment where innovation, skills and collaboration can grow, enabling both individuals, businesses and communities to succeed."

Tickets for Humber’s Place Forum are currently available via Future Humber’s website here. The event will take place from 8.30am to 12noon on October 19 in the Double Tree by Hilton Hull’s newly opened Horizon facility. Created in response to the growing demand for high-quality event spaces in Hull and the wider Yorkshire region, the development aligns with the forum’s place-promotion focus.