New Chamber President’s ambition is to reunite the Humber as an economic force

The Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce's new leadership after the 2022 annual meeting. Pictured (from left) are Dr Ian Kelly, Chief Executive; Mike Whitehead, President; Phil Jones, Immediate Past President and Albert Weatherill, Vice President.

MIKE Whitehead became the 110th president of the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce during the March 4 AGM when Phil Jones stepped down after a two-year term, having steered the Chamber through a challenging period of change and pandemic.

In his first speech as President, Mike underlined his commitment to securing regional devolution and ensuring the Humber prospers.

Mike, a former NHS manager expressed his disappointment at the political will that saw Humber progress stifled, but is cheered by the work now emerging under the Opportunity Humber banner, with Reckitt CEO Laxman Narasimhan working alongside the Humber Leadership Board - made up of council chiefs and LEP chairs - to focus on strategic growth for a globally significant region.

Mr Whitehead said: “It is a particular honour to be President of the Chamber. I’m a local lad. I spent 28 years at Hull Royal Infirmary, as a manager of surgery and critical care, and my grandfathers were dockers and trawlermen in Hull  - that’s working class aristocracy.”

He has since turned his attention to property development and also served as an East Riding councillor between 2011 and 2015, representing Kirk Ella.

“I’m looking forward to carrying on a lot of things Phil has been involved with;” he continued. “We are in a very good place, with very good relationships with local authorities and MPs, and in a position to influence and represent businesses in the Humber.

 “We are one of the few true pan-Humber organisations at a time when the Humber has split apart - hopefully it is only temporary, hopefully it will come back.

“The South Bank is important to the region, and one of the reasons I have chosen Horizon as my charity this year.

“I look forward to a year of activity, my door is always open as I used to say in the NHS, and the same applies here. We have a very good team, and excellent chief executive and excellent officers.”

He aims to support the On Side Yourth Zone Charity which is building a new flagship youth facility on Grimsby’s long derelict Garth Lane site with plans to open in 2024.

Mike said he would like to see a similar facility built in Hull.

Earlier, taking over from Phil Jones, Mike said: “The Chamber continues to build very close relationships with politicians, be it the four councils north and south of the river, and all 10 MPs in our area.

“We have played a very big part working for devolution agenda and we have maintained a high profile in that respect. That will continue

 “We have faced challenges we never thought we would have to deal with and have got some big challenges ahead. There is lots happening, we have a leaner, fitter, stronger financially, very proactive Chamber and that is down to your leadership,” he said..

Phil Jones highlighted his appreciation at becoming part of the Chamber team, having “seen what’s happened within the organisation, where it has come from and how well it has been done.

“It is in a really good place and in really good hands,” he said, adding: “I do feel a little bit sad to be handing over the chains of office, hopefully there are other things for me to be involved with in and around the Chamber in coming years.”