Former University of Hull Director Bill Walker has been announced as the new Chair at Marketing Humber.
Mr Walker, previously Director of Strategic Relationships and Knowledge Exchange at the University, will focus on promoting the Humber region on both a national and international stage.
He joins Marketing Humber’s Board of Directors alongside Managing Director Diana Taylor, having also previously held a director-level role at the Hull Daily Mail.
Mr Walker said: “It is vital that there is strong political engagement and a powerful voice for business as the region navigates its way through the uncertainty and opportunity of a post-Covid, post-Brexit world, while at the same time piecing together a new, devolved structure of local government.
“As the established place-based marketing organisation in the region, Marketing Humber is trusted, eager and able to represent those interests at those new tables of influence; to champion the role of business in capturing the huge opportunities these radical changes present.”
Mr Walker’s primary focus will be to build on recent success in promoting the region’s collaborative credentials as the natural place to lead the UK’s green recovery.
This will require coherent and distinctive advocacy across the North and in Westminster as well as the Humber.
2020 has seen a changing political landscape and an ever-growing environment of change as businesses focus on survival of a second lockdown and the impact this brings for our economy and community.
Andy Parkinson, previous Chair and retained director of Marketing Humber, will continue to work alongside Bill and Diana to drive forward The Waterline campaign – in partnership with the University - and the promotion of the region as an industrial cluster which is a global exemplar for decarbonisation.
Mr Parkinson said: “Now more than ever, we need to drive promotion of the region as a place to lead in the UK’s green recovery - a place for investment, growth, and skills development.
“It will be fantastic to add Bill’s experience and strong connections across the North and within London, to increase our voice on the national and international stage.”
Marketing Humber Managing Director Diana Taylor said: “We are delighted to welcome Bill to strengthen the board and lead us through this next transformation within the region.
“This will be part of a series of future changes, including further additions of renowned business figures to the board which will strengthen our voice to drive the regional marketing strategy.”