Humber welcomes Government delegation to showcase developments shaping region’s future

Humber Freeport’s Head of Investment Richard Beason, third from right, pictured with Chris Barton, Director of Local and International Growth at the Department for Business and Trade, fourth from right, during a Government delegate visit to the region.

CHRIS Barton, Director of Local and International Growth at the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), visited the Humber alongside Government colleagues from both the DBT and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The meeting, held at CATCH in Stallingborough, near Grimsby, provided an opportunity for industry leaders to showcase some of the projects which will support industrial growth and regeneration across the estuary.

Presentations were made by Humber Freeport alongside industry skills and training provider CATCH, Phillips 66, Uniper, Equinor, Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority and North East Lincolnshire Council.

The session was opened by Humber Freeport’s Head of Investment, Richard Beason, who set the scene and outlined the role of the Freeport as a catalyst and accelerator of investment and growth.

Mr Beason said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Chris and his team to the Humber. For our partners, it was an opportunity to discuss the projects they are delivering which, collectively, will be crucial in achieving the region’s ambitions for growth, job creation and prosperity.

“The Humber stands at a pivotal moment. We have a development pipeline with private sector companies ready to invest billions of pounds across our region. Our ask for the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and his Government, is to accelerate decision-making and give investors the confidence that their own ambitions are matched.

“Slow decision-making is hampering major investments which can both protect and create jobs, support British industry, develop skills and innovation, and create opportunities for our local communities.”

Representatives of the Humber at the session were:

• Katie Hedges, Chief Strategy Officer, CATCH
• Ellis Berry, Principal Engineer (Low Carbon Fuels), Equinor
• Agnieszka Kloskowska, Manager (Carbon Markets), Equinor
• Joelle Davies, Director of Strategy and Operations, Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority
• Penny Codd, Economy and Funding Manager, North East Lincolnshire Council
• Jenny Sutcliffe, Principal Consultant Regulatory Affairs, Phillips 66
• Faye McAnulla, Hydrogen Business Development Manager, Uniper

During the visit, delegates sat down for a roundtable discussion focused on opportunities, and challenges, for the Humber. Conversation also centred on the support Government departments including DBT can provide which can unlock the region’s significant development pipeline.

Among the presentations given to Government delegates was an update from Equinor on its proposed Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) facility in Immingham.

The project, called Humber SAF, has already been backed by £3m of Government funding through its Advanced Fuels Fund, to support design and early development stage work.

Located within the Humber Freeport Immingham tax site, Humber SAF intends to produce more than 120,000 tonnes of Sustainable Aviation Fuel per year – around 10 per cent of expected UK demand by 2030.

Humber SAF would safeguard and create almost 120 permanent jobs, alongside an additional 375 temporary jobs. Immingham has been chosen as the proposed location for the project due to its established industrial infrastructure, transport connections via road, rail and sea, and the strength of the Humber’s skilled workforce.

• To read more about the Humber SAF project, visit: humbersaf.com/