Patrons’ Lunch in the Lord Mayor’s Parlour is  special thank you to key Chamber supporters

Chamber Patrons posing for the official photograph before enjoying the Patrons’ Lunch in the Mayor’s Parlour at the Guildhall. Pictures: Kevin Greene Photography.

THE Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Shipping welcomed its Patrons to its annual lunch in the historic Lord Mayor’s Parlour in the city’s historic Guildhall – and presented a plaque to its newest Gold Patron, Cory Group.

This year’s patrons were welcomed by Hull’s Lord Mayor and Admiral of the Humber, Cllr Mark Collinson and Lady Mayoress Cllr Christine Randall.

Chamber President Kirk Akdemir told guess it was now 25 years since we feared the approach of the Millennium Bug and everyone was scared of what might happen to their computers as the New Year arrived.

He thanked the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress for welcoming the Chamber to the Guildhall again. Kirk reminded guests: “The Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce dates from the early merchant adventurers, yet now the city is at the centre of clean energy and digitalisation.

“The Chamber itself dates from 1837, and has represented businesses for all this time, and continues to be the biggest business organisation and is the collective “Voice of Business” in the Humber.

“I would like to thank our patrons for supporting the Chamber, and welcome our two newest members of this exclusive club, Cory Group and Pattesons Glass. The Chamber is always very grateful to our patrons for supporting the Chamber and helping us to support our smaller businesses.”

Chris Girdham is presented with his Patron’s Plaque by Chamber Vice President and Chair of the North East Lincolnshire Area Council, Irene Keal. 

The Lord Mayor thanked everyone for coming and highlighted the importance of the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce to the city and the people of Hull and the wider Humber.

He highlighted the historic dinner service which was being used for the Patrons’ Lunch, noting it only comes out twice a year and commemorates the 200th anniversary of the birth of William Wilberforce and was presented to the City Council by the Chamber to mark that occasion.

The Lord Mayor said: “The city economy will continue to improve into the future and I’d like to say thank you on behalf of the City Council and the city for the work of the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce does.”

Giving the vote of thanks, Chamber Chief Executive Dr Ian Kelly, said: “We have some excellent people here today, including representatives of Ørsted and Equinor, which has made a major announcement this week which will lead to a massive transition stage on the Carbon Capture and Storage agenda in the North Sea to help the region reach net zero.

“We are extremely grateful to our Patrons and we are playing our part – the Chamber is looking to be supportive and constructive as things move forward. We will do our best to do our bit elegantly, to move things forward. We are extremely grateful for the support the Lord Mayor and the City Council give to the Chamber.”

Before sitting down for lunch, Chris Girdham from Cory Group, was presented with a Chamber Patrons’ Plaque by Vice President Irene Keal after the energy from waste business became the latest major company to pledge its support to the Chamber with a Gold Patronage package.

Cory Group’s development director, Chris was born in Grimsby and grew up in Barton, and although now London based, knows the area well and returns regularly to catch up with family and friends.

Thanking the Chamber for special plaque, Chris said: “I’m thrilled to receive the Patrons Plaque – It will be given pride of place in in our headquarters in London.

“This has been a fabulous event here in the Guildhall, it’s a spectacular setting and there’s so much history everywhere you look.

“I’m really pleased to be working with the Chamber of Commerce, we’ve got a lot happening next year and I’m already looking forward to coming back here next year.”