Great Northern Conference puts Humber at heart of UK’s industrial strategy

Opening the conference in Hull on December 3rd, Yorkshire Post Editor James Mitchinson pointed to emerging green technologies and innovation as being at the core of the Humber region’s rich potential.

An influential line-up of speakers included the UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Great British Energy Chair Juergen Maier CBE and West and North Yorkshire Mayors Tracy Brabin and David Skaith.

A clear message running throughout the conference was the critical role the North can play in supporting the Government’s growth plans, with a focus on renewable energy and the transition to net zero.

Conversation ranged from innovation and skills, to infrastructure and connectivity, as the breadth of talent and knowledge across the North of England shone through.

As Keynote Debate Sponsor, Humber Freeport CEO Simon Green introduced and joined a panel discussion which focused on the importance of innovation in driving economic growth.

Coining the strapline “Innovate North,” Mr Green outlined the collaborative approach which will unlock the region’s rich research and development capabilities, in turn creating skilled jobs and broad supply chain opportunities.

Mr Green said: “The Government has made clear its intention to align the UK’s research and development strategy with the industrial strategy, which will create new synergies.

“One thing we need to look closely at is the spatial element – figures from UKRI show their per capita investment in the Yorkshire & Humber is half that of what goes into London.

“We have a great opportunity to break that cycle and to look at where the North has a competitive advantage, in advanced manufacturing, energy and other sectors. We are not just a cheaper version of the South.”

Mr Green was joined on the panel, chaired by BBC Look North’s Amy Garcia, by Professor Fiona Matthews, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University of Hull, Harry Baross, Regional Project Manager for the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub, and Lucinda Yeadon, Social Impact Manager at UK property specialists CEG.

Professor Matthews spoke about the importance of retaining skilled young people in the North, and avoiding what is often referred to as a “brain drain” to the South.

She said: “When you look at the M62 corridor, the research excellence is stronger than what you will see in the south east, yet the investment received is a fraction of it.

“Most of our students want to stay in the region once they have graduated. They fall in love with the place and they want to live and work here.

“We need to make sure we have the jobs to keep them here in the North. Universities have a key role to play in working with businesses and industry to understand their challenges, and to meet the skills needs of each region.”

The Humber took centre stage at the Great Northern Conference, with a spotlight on the technologies which will decarbonise industry and help the UK reach net zero.

As the Chair of Great British Energy, Juergen Maier said the Government’s acceleration of clean energy would contribute to the reindustrialisation of regions including the Humber.

He said the UK’s offshore wind sector could employ 100,000 by 2030, with carbon capture and hydrogen providing a further 50,000 jobs.

For the UK to succeed in its net zero target, innovation and collaboration will be vital.

Humber Freeport launched with three core workstreams – skills, decarbonisation and innovation.

The Freeport’s Innovation workstream is helping to shape innovation policy and break down the local and national barriers facing businesses looking to access funding streams and routes to market.

Humber Freeport works closely with both public and private sectors, alongside the universities of Hull and Lincoln, to ensure the region has the skills and the technologies it needs to thrive.

• Find out more about the Freeport’s Innovation strand at www.humberfreeport.org/who-are-we/innovation/.