Hello from our incoming Chair

The Humber is a place where so much has been achieved, with so much more potential still to realise.

This region is an economic powerhouse - be it for global trade, manufacturing or low carbon energy – and you’ll find few UK locations with a more compelling investment proposition.

The Humber is home to world-class businesses, many of which planted their roots here many decades ago. Some have grown into global organisations; many others are industry leaders. Innovations in medical technology, consumer health, energy, chemicals and food, and so much more, have been pioneered here.

The region has also demonstrated its ability to attract major inward investments, two of which I have been fortunate to have led the delivery of.

When I first came to the Humber, to lead the development of Siemens Gamesa’s offshore wind turbine blade manufacturing facility in Hull, I very quickly found a welcoming, supportive business community. One which was united by a shared aspiration for regeneration and growth.

More recently, I’ve led the development of Siemens Mobility’s Rail Village in Goole – again benefiting from an environment that supports investment, collaboration and partnership.

I’ve discovered at first hand that the Humber is a great place to invest and do business.

A vital part of the eco system essential to successful investment and economic growth is skills. That is another strength of the Humber – our young people benefit from access to excellent education and training providers, on both banks of the Humber, equipping them with the skills they need to thrive, right here.

After more than 35 years at Siemens, I’m ready for a new challenge and looking forward to taking up my new role, as Chair of Humber Freeport.

Freeport status has already supported a series of significant investments in the Humber. You can read about positive news for two of those, from Metsä Tissue and Henry Boot Developments, in this newsletter.

I’m pleased that, as the incoming Chair, I will be able to continue to make my contribution to driving the Humber forward. I look forward to getting out and about in my new role and meeting our partners, investors and stakeholders across the region and beyond.

 

Finbarr Dowling

Chair, Humber Freeport

 

Two significant developments at the Goole freeport tax site received positive planning news recently.

Finnish manufacturer Metsä Tissue and commercial property developer Wykeland Group received the green light to create the UK’s largest tissue paper mill, together with office space and associated infrastructure.

The facility, which will extend to around three million sq ft of space once complete, will be built in phases, supporting up to 400 direct jobs and creating a breadth of supply chain opportunities.

At the same East Riding of Yorkshire Council Planning Committee meeting, Henry Boot Developments (HBD) and landowner St John’s College Cambridge received outline planning consent for a prominent industrial and manufacturing park.

That development sits on the south side of the Goole tax site, separated from the Metsä plot by the M62 motorway, and will create more than five million sq ft of industrial space. The site could accommodate buildings from 40,000 sq ft to one million sq ft.

Humber Freeport and the Humber Principals Group have announced a key partnership, focused on shaping skills development and employer engagement across the region.

The two organisations will work closely together to ensure the Humber has the skilled workforce it needs to drive economic growth and regeneration, connecting industry with education and young people with successful careers.

The Humber Principals Group comprises of multiple colleges and college groups, which collectively educate over 50,000 students.

Working with Humber Freeport will deepen knowledge and understanding of the specific skills needs of investors and major employers, equipping young people and adults alike with the skills they need to thrive.

The future of logistics and maritime industries depends on fresh thinking and engaging the next generation of talent.

Humber Freeport partnered with Ormiston Maritime Academy in Grimsby to deliver an exciting Innovation Hackathon which connected 80 students with industry professionals for a day of creative problem-solving and career exploration.

The hackathon was proposed by the Freeport Innovation Liaison Group, which works on behalf of Humber Freeport to support innovation-led activity across the Humber estuary.

By combining real-world challenges with creative problem-solving, the event successfully raised awareness of career opportunities while inspiring the next generation of talent needed to drive the sector’s continued evolution towards sustainability and innovation.

Humber Freeport is proud to support the Goole to Leeds public transport connectivity study, which is exploring ways to improve strategic transport links between Goole, the Lower Aire Valley, and key cities including Leeds, Hull and Wakefield.

Improving connectivity is essential to ensure communities can access the new jobs and opportunities being created across the Humber Freeport and wider region.

Have your say and help shape the future of connectivity in the region by completing the survey below.

Here are some upcoming events to put in your diary!

October 15-16

Forest Pines Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, Brigg, DN20 0A 

October 22

Lincolnshire Showground, Lincoln, LN2 2NA  

November 6

Hampton by Hilton, Humberside Airport

December 2

Doncaster Racecourse

Since its formation, Humber Freeport has supported well over £1bn of inward investment, while at the same time helping shape key areas including skills, innovation and decarbonisation.

One of those pledged investments is from Finnish forest industry company Metsä Group, whose tissue paper business, Metsä Tissue, intends to build a new paper mill within the Goole freeport tax site.

The development will increase the UK’s self-sufficiency by more than 30 per cent in the production of essential tissue products.

Alan Jeffery, Technical Director (UK & Ireland) at Metsä Tissue, discussed the company’s decision to invest in the Humber.

We’d love to hear from you! If you have any questions, or want to know more about investment opportunities across our sites, please get in touch via contact@humberfreeport.org or visit our website at www.humberfreeport.org/contact.

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