Hull and Humber 30 Under 30 list unveiled for 2025 to help young talent

The eighth annual list aims to provide a programme to develop young professionals and show them that careers can progress locally

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Enterprise

Graeme WhitfieldRegional business editor

07:09, 19 MAR 2025

Photographs of the Hull and Humber 30 Under 30 for 2025 — Hull and Humber 30 Under 30 for 2025 (Image: Simon Jones)

Hull & Humber Top 30 Under 30 has announced the list of the 2025 winners in the region.

This year’s class marks the 8th year of the prestigious training programme, designed to equip them with the skills towards leadership pathways and ongoing professional development, whilst recognising young business talent in the area. 30 young people from businesses across Hull and Humber have been chosen to take part in a year-long experience, culminating in a prestigious awards ceremony at the end of the year.

The Top 30 Under 30 scheme was launched in 2017, in a bid to recognise and support rising stars within businesses across the region. Since then, the programme has gone from strength to strength, inspiring the next generation of business leaders.

As part of the programme, each of the selected winners will undergo 12 months of development in line with the Leadership Excellence Acceleration Programme (LEAP). The process not only equips each winner with the skillset to become effective leaders, but also provides an opportunity for businesses to recognise and invest in their own aspiring, young talent.

Simon Jones, founder of Top 30 Under 30, said: “I am proud to announce this year’s winners, and our class of 2025. This year, we’ve seen more employers than ever nominating their very best talent, making the judging process the most difficult to date.

“Today, we celebrate the contribution of the region’s best young talent. This group has made a significant difference to their organisations, to their teams and to the local business community, and it is an honour to showcase who they are”

The programme provides winners the unique opportunity to further enhance their leadership skills, led by industry experts in leadership, self-development, and communication. 30-year-old Lucy Henn from Hull was part of the Top 30 Under 30 process in 2021, and referred to it as ‘the best leadership process available’.

Lucy, now head of consumer commercial and product at KCOM, said: “It’s been over four years since I completed the process and I genuinely still use the tools and techniques it taught me. They are instilled in me now. Since completing the process, I’ve had two promotions and I’m confident in leading my team and the business to achieve ambitious goals, but also feel resilient to any challenges or changes that come my way.

“Every year I’m so proud to see other young people go on to be successful after going through the Top 30 process and leadership course. You really see growth in them personally and professionally. It’s the best leadership process I know of.”

The process also campaigns to raise awareness around the various career opportunities that are available in the region, including the different pathways to success, and the range of professional industries that operate in the area.

Simon said: “By delivering the Top 30 Under 30s, we create an evidence-based narrative that helps shifts the often common perception that you need to leave the area to climb the career ladder, whereas in fact there are jobs, careers and progressive opportunities worth staying for.”

2025 has seen the records for number of organisations nominating, and number of nominations received broken, an indication of how strong a reputation the Top 30 process has. Since the programme started, it has now supported 35 winners to go and become directors, 14 ‘heads of’ departments, three in ‘group’ positions and 73 new managers.

Simon continued: “Every year, I am blown away at the level of support I receive for Top 30. I believe that through this process and the awareness we have generated, organisations are now recognising how important investing in their young talent is to their long-term future and prospects. As such, seeing more organisations engaging with these awards is a positive sign for the future of our local economy, and our business community.

“We are upskilling and mobilising Hull and Humber’s future leaders, and I can’t wait to take this year’s winners on that journey.”

Winners List (in surname alphabetical order)

Georgina Bishop, Customer Experience Manager, Cobus Communications Group

Connor Brown, Controller, CorrBoard

Chloe Chamberlain, Design Manager, Connexin

Leah Coldham, Finance and Facilities Manager, Humbercare

Joe Cooper, Assistant Contracts Manager, Sewell Construction

Amaris Cook, Head of Engineering, Pure Renewables

Emma Cox, Property & Facilities Management Co-Ordinator, E-Factor Group

Daniel Hall, Operations Manager, Bauer Engineering

Danielle Harris, General & Production Manager, Middle Child Theatre

Daniel Hibbitt, Regulatory Transformation Director, Rubicon Bridge