Elected leaders from Hull and East Yorkshire have been quizzed by young trailblazers on the hottest topics facing the region.
Hull City Council Leader Cllr Mike Ross and East Riding of Yorkshire Council Leader Cllr Anne Handley were joined in the hot seat by newly-elected Mayor of Hull & East Yorkshire, Luke Campbell MBE.
The trio of leaders had their knowledge and expertise put to the test by three rising stars of the region’s business community – Owen Clater, CEO of digital marketing agency Becks & Clates, Marguerite Aduh, Response Technician at Phillips 66 UK, and Ben Turney-White, Product Design Apprentice at Ideal Heating.
The fast-paced session formed a key part of The Business Day, the showpiece finale of Humber Business Week 2025 held at Bridlington Spa.
Questions and topics ranged from apprenticeships and diversity, to supporting more young people to unlock their entrepreneurial spirit and launch their own businesses.
The breakout event was co-hosted and delivered by place promotion organisation Future Humber, Humber Freeport and the Humber Energy Board.
Ben Turney-White joined UK heating market leader Ideal Heating four years ago as a degree apprentice. He is working in the company’s Internet of Things (IoT) team while studying at the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.
His passion and talent caught the attention of senior leaders at Ideal Heating, who put him forward to join the panel of next generation leaders at the event.
Ben said: “As an apprentice engineer, I see the Humber region as being in a unique position to lead in the green industrial transition.
“Bold projects like Zero Carbon Humber and Humber Freeport promise major growth, investment and skilled jobs. But for that to happen, we need more talented young people living and working in the region.
“Ideal Heating is investing significantly in green technology and apprenticeships, creating a skilled workforce for the future. This needs to become the norm across the region – for long-term success, we must embrace vocational training and apprenticeships.”
Ben asked leaders how the region can put apprenticeships at the heart of its strategy to drive a green industrial revolution.
Responding to his question, East Riding of Yorkshire Council Leader, Cllr Anne Handley, said: “For too long, apprenticeships have been seen as secondary to going to university or pursuing higher education opportunities.
“It’s vitally important that we create, and retain, high-level apprenticeships that keep talented young people in our region. We are the Energy Estuary, and we need to harness that to create opportunities for the next generation.
East Riding Council Leader, Cllr Anne Handley, speaking at the event.
“What is hugely encouraging to me is there is a feeling that the region is coming together for the greater good. The Humber wants to work collaboratively to create programmes that look after our young people, for the benefit of everyone.”
Sitting alongside Ben was Marguerite Aduh, a Response Technician at Phillips 66 UK. Marguerite asked leaders what the Humber must do to attract diverse talent and create a workforce where people feel that they truly belong.
The final next-generation leader was Owen Clater, CEO of digital marketing agency Becks & Clates.
As an 18-year-old entrepreneur who runs his own business and employs seven people, Owen challenged the leaders on how the region can stimulate more people like himself.
Rising to that challenge was Luke Campbell MBE, Mayor of Hull & East Yorkshire, who pledged to create a regular session which brought together young entrepreneurs to share their experiences, and the barriers and challenges they may face to launch and grow their own businesses.
The engaging session was created and delivered by Future Humber, Humber Freeport and Humber Energy Board, as an example of the three organisations working together to address key issues and opportunities for the region.
Working collaboratively, the partners are stimulating investment, driving clean growth and helping to create a skilled workforce of the future.
