New Hull and Humber Chamber President Mike Whitehead has underlined his commitment to securing regional devolution and ensuring the Humber prospers.
Mike, the 110th President of the pan-Humber organisation, said he was disappointed 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.
“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.”
