A first for Chamber as two Mayors attend annual Patrons’ Lunch in Guildhall Parlour

Chamber Patrons posing for the official photograph before enjoying the Patrons’ Lunch in the Mayor’s Parlour at the Guildhall. Picture: Kevin Greene Photography.

THIS year’s Patrons were welcomed by Hull’s Lord Mayor and Admiral of the Humber, Cllr Cheryl Payne and were also joined by the Combined Authority Mayor of Hull and East Riding Luke Campbell MBE.

Chamber Vice President Irene Keal thanked the Lord Mayor for welcoming the Chamber and its Patrons to the Guildhall again. “I would like to thank our 26 Patrons for supporting the Chamber, and welcome the newest members of this exclusive club, Centrica Energy Storage+, Den Architecture, DN Colleges, GGP Consult Ltd, Hull Trains and National Grid Electricity Transmission Ltd who all came on board this year. The Chamber is always very grateful to its patrons for supporting the work it does and for helping it to support its smaller businesses and the wider business community.”

The Lord Mayor thanked everyone for coming and highlighted the importance of the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce to the city and the people of Hull and the wider Humber.

She highlighted the historic dinner service which was being used for the Patrons’ Lunch, noting it only comes out twice a year and commemorates the 200th anniversary of the birth of William Wilberforce and was presented to the City Council by the Chamber to mark that occasion.

The Lord Mayor said: “The city economy will continue to improve into the future and I’d like to say thank you on behalf of the City Council and the city for the work of the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce does.”

Giving the vote of thanks, the Chamber’s David Hooper said: “We are extremely grateful for the support the Lord Mayor, the City Council and our Patrons give to the Chamber.” He congratulated the Chamber team for recruiting nine new Patrons this year and thanked the Guildhall’s catering team for looking after us so well. He ended by wishing everyone a happy Christmas and a successful and prosperous 2026.