Business Week Starts With A Splash

9.47.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 4th Jun 2009

Neil and Dick Hertzberg at the launch of Business Week

Neil Poole and Dick Herzberg were among those attending a celebratory dinner in Grimsby to mark Business Week 2009.

The event, at the Grimsby Auditorium, was one of 30 scheduled in the Humber region to promote local businesses this week.

Neil Poole said; "the Clipper Race is an opportunity to Show Case our region and build valuable new business contacts. North Lincolnshire needs investment to create and improve long term employment. We must maximise our efforts to ensure Business Week proves prosperous for North Lincolnshire"

Guest speakers Sir Robin Knox-Johnston - the first man to sail single-handedly around the world - and Peter Goss, a former Royal Marine and adventurer, were joined at the dinner by Piers Dudin, who has just been appointed skipper of the Hull and Humber vessel in the Clipper 2009-10 Round The World Yacht Race.

Piers, who has been sailing since he was six years old, will captain four people from North East Lincolnshire among the 50-person Clipper race crew.

He was visiting Grimsby for the first time to assess the town's port - which the Hull and Humber yacht will visit in September.

As reported, the Clipper race, which is the only event of its kind for non-professional sailors, will commence on the river Humber in September.

Sailing legend Sir Knox-Johnston, who founded the race, said: "The Clipper race has become so much more than just a boat race.

"It provides businesses with international links and unrivalled opportunities to forge connections.

"For instance, last year Young's Seafoods who sponsored the Hull and Humber yacht were able to hold a reception in Qingdao, China.

"For the people taking part it will be the challenge of a lifetime."