Humber Freeport stood alongside businesses and industry leaders at The Great Exhibition of Lincolnshire, the county’s flagship inaugural event showcasing world-leading sectors and investment opportunities.
The exhibition, held at the Lincolnshire Showground, brought together attendees from across not just the county, but the country, to celebrate Lincolnshire’s economic strengths and future potential.
Organised and led by the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority, the event was the brainchild of elected Mayor, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, who took inspiration from the famous Great Exhibition of 1851.
For Humber Freeport, the exhibition was a chance to showcase opportunities for investors at its tax site in Immingham and customs site in Grimsby. The Freeport also spoke to delegates about its commitment to support key areas including skills, employment and innovation.
Speaking at the opening of the event, Dame Andrea said: “This exhibition brings together the best of our businesses, our technologies and our ideas. I want to position our great county on the global stage, opening the doors to new partnerships, investments, and growth.
“Today is more than just plans. It’s about investment, trade, and innovation. We speak today with one voice – Lincolnshire is open for business.”
The Mayor’s ambition is for The Great Exhibition to become an annual flagship event, shining a light on Greater Lincolnshire’s strengths in key industry sectors and its extraordinary potential for inward investment and innovation.
Humber Freeport participated as an exhibitor at the event, showcasing how it is stimulating investment opportunities, skills development and innovation across Lincolnshire.
The main exhibition hall featured four remarkable centrepiece innovations, highlighting the region’s engineering heritage and cutting-edge technology: a beautifully preserved 1923 Ruston Hornsby car made in Lincoln, a model of the RAF Storm Shadow cruise aircraft, a Siemens Energy industrial gas turbine symbolising the region’s engineering excellence, and an AI-powered 3D bin-picking robot from OAL demonstrating Lincolnshire’s leadership in smart automation.
The atmosphere throughout the day was one of collaboration and optimism, with exhibitors from a wide variety of sectors coming together with a shared commitment to growing the region and putting Lincolnshire firmly on the map.
Richard Beason, Head of Investment at Humber Freeport, said: “Events like The Great Exhibition demonstrate our commitment as a key partner in Lincolnshire’s business community.
“Through collaborations spanning right across Lincolnshire, and indeed the Humber region, we want to be a catalyst for the investments which make a significant impact on local communities.
“Freeport status provides a breadth of investment opportunities, with Government-backed incentives including fixed years of business rates relief, enhanced capital allowances and stamp duty exemptions.
“By working closely with partners, we can attract and support the key investments which will drive sustained growth for our region.”
Humber Freeport has already backed a number of key projects in Lincolnshire, including an expansion at training provider CATCH in Stallingborough, which is helping to develop the skilled workforce needed to support the region’s growing advanced manufacturing and green energy sectors.
In July, Humber Freeport partnered with Ormiston Maritime Academy in Grimsby to deliver an exciting Innovation Hackathon which connected 80 students with industry professionals for a day of creative problem solving and career exploration.
The Freeport has also partnered with Humber Principals Group, which includes key colleges and education providers in North and North East Lincolnshire. The partnership will focus on connecting young people with industry, ensuring the region has the skilled workforce it needs to meet employer needs.
