Business expertise boosts World Trade Centre Hull and Humber

World Trade Centre Hull and Humber has chosen a panel of regional business leaders to form its first advisory group.

They were nominated from a cross-section of businesses and are seen as essential to the development of the centre’s international trade activities. The 14-strong group will provide market-based perspectives on opportunities and priorities for successful operation of the centre.

Advisory group member, Steve Simpson, a director at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Hull, said that the World Trade Centre presented a great opportunity for the region and that he was excited at the prospect of being able to contribute to its future success.

“I have locally-based clients who are heavily involved in export and also clients with foreign ownership and therefore believe I will be able to bring useful knowledge and insight to the table.”

Stephen Martin, group chief executive of Scunthorpe-based Clugston Group Ltd, said that he was also enthusiastic about being part of the only World Trade Centre in northern England.

“World Trade Centre Hull and Humber represents a major addition to the business landscape of our region and I am excited that I will be able play a role in helping to maximise the huge opportunities that it presents.

“Clugston is already heavily involved in encouraging business to the area and in addition, we believe that we can have a positive impact on the development of the World Trade Centre by drawing on our broad experience in property development, construction, logistics and warehousing.”

Tony Howard, director of economic development for Hull Forward, said it was crucial that local businesses became involved in World Trade Centre Hull and Humber. Development and performance of the centre depended very much on the business community grasping the opportunities being provided and also in ensuring that the services on offer reflected the needs of regional businesses large and small.

“There are more than 300 centres world wide and each is developed independently to the requirements of its locality. Membership of the World Trade Centre Association does not mean that we have to follow a strict model, so it’s our responsibility to meet the specialised needs of our region. This is why it is imperative that we have the input of successful local businesses in its ongoing development.”

The advisory group members are: Steve Simpson, director, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Hull; Mike Johnson, director of commercial banking, RBS Hull & Humber; Mike Sellers, deputy port manager, ABP Hull & Goole; Malcolm Joslin, strategy and communications manager, BP Chemicals Ltd; Roy Frow, director, Handelsbanken (Hull); Simon Dwyer, local managing director, Samskip; Alan Platt, managing director, John Good & Sons; Barry Precious, export manager, NISA International; Becky Campbell, head of communications & corporate affairs, Nisa-Today's; Dominic Ward, partner, AMJ; Glyn Hughes, chief executive; Humber Chemical Focus; Mike Wilson, director, Riverside Logistics (UK) Ltd; Stephen Martin, group chief executive, Clugston Group Ltd; Lindsay West, sales and marketing director, Garthwest Ltd; Mark Conway, director of internet and hosting products services, KCOM Group plc and Ruth Linden, Business Manager, Regional Language Network Yorkshire & Humber.

The World Trade Centre advisory group’s first meeting is scheduled for next month.