Tributes have been paid by the Humber business community on the passing of the Queen.
Lord-Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire, James Dick OBE, described receiving the news “with great sorrow”. The former global president of medical services giant Smith & Nephew’s Hull-based wound management division, was appointed in 2019.
He said: “Our thoughts are with the Royal Family as they grieve for the loss of their mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
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“Her Majesty demonstrated extraordinary dedication and commitment to duty throughout her reign, both for her country and the Commonwealth, and did so with a graceful strength and admirable determination.
“She ruled throughout decades of change, from the dark post-war years through to the new horizons of the 21st century, providing essential continuity for the nation.
“This is a period of public grief, when people who do not know each other come together to mourn a national figure who has been consistent throughout our lives and for whom we have collective affection despite not knowing her personally.”
Recalling visits to commemorate Hull’s 700th anniversary in 1999, Beverley for her Golden Jubilee Celebration tour in 2002, the opening of the Queen's Centre for Oncology and Haematology at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham in 2009 and her final visit, during Hull’s City of Culture Year in 2017 when she visited Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy blade plant and opened the multi-million pound Allam Medical Centre at the University of Hull, he said: “Her Majesty has left a strong platform for the new King to build upon and to carry on his mother’s legacy but also to be able to move the monarchy forward with continuity making it relevant to today’s society.
"Our heartfelt sympathy to The King and members of the Royal Family for the very sad loss of Her Majesty, they will be in our thoughts and prayers. We shall look back in gratitude and look forward to offering our support and loyalty to The King.
"God Save The King.”
Late last year Mr Dick had presented the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service to For Entrepreneurs Only, the near 200-strong collective of inspiring individuals who support their peers and the next generation across Hull and East Yorkshire.
Chief executive Jan Brumby, who in 2006 was invited to Buckingham Palace, to receive the Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion, said: "We share in the country’s sadness on the passing of our Monarch, Her Majesty The Queen. Our thoughts are with Her Majesty's family and friends. God bless Queen Elizabeth the Queen, long live King Charles III."
Recalling her visit, she told how the Queen's footman let slip to her youngest daughter that an opening of her handbag meant it was time to call a close to her duties so she could watch EastEnders - a statement the pair remain unsure whether was in jest or not to this day. She said: "It was a brilliant day and I remember how twinkly and blue her eyes were. She was an elderly woman then, but didn't seem to be. She asked about Hull, and the work we did in deprived communities, and how we made a difference with children from these communities. She was very interested, it was as if she had read up on all of the people, and I'm sure the other 11 could say the same. She knew about what we had done, and what Young Enterprise was."
As patron of the British Chambers of Commerce, the Queen had written a personal message to the team at Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, thanking them for their efforts during the pandemic. Dr Ian Kelly, chief executive, and his colleagues, released a joint statement. They said: “All the team at the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and extend our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family.
“Her Majesty has been an enduring symbol of strength and continuity throughout her reign and she led a life dedicated to public service since she ascended the throne in 1952, not least as patron of many charities and organisations, including as patron of our own British Chambers of Commerce.
“Her 70-year reign coincided with a rapidly changing world, with huge leaps forward in technology and society. The second Elizabethan era will be remembered as a golden age of progress. The Queen was a regular visitor to the Humber and perhaps one of her most significant engagements in our region was to officially open the Humber Bridge, which unites our region and has driven its economic development.”
The Chamber's Northern Lincolnshire manager, Anne Tate, remembers seeing the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at a Royal Garden Party, when representing the orgnisation. "Greater in presence than her small stature belied, she was immaculately dressed, her jewellery stunning," she recalled as she stopped to speak to the person in front of her. "I was literally transfixed. Every day of my life I had viewed her image before me, on stamps, on bank notes, in newspapers and on the television. But nothing had prepared me for the reality of the kind, friendly and welcoming face that stood before me smiling and chatting. And then she was gone.
"It was a moment, just a moment, but one that captivated and will stay with me forever. I am so honoured that through my work with the Chamber I had the opportunity to be in the presence of the most iconic woman of our age."
Former Chamber president and chair of the Hull Area Council, Phil Ascough recalled: "My first glimpse of Her Majesty was from the western end of Platform One at North Ferriby station.
"The date was Friday, July 17 ,1981 and the occasion was the official opening of the Humber Bridge. I reported for the Hull Daily Mail as the royal train pulled in and the Queen stepped out, spoke to local schoolchildren and residents from a nearby care home, and was then driven off to perform the ceremony. I covered many more visits to the Humber region over the years by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, the Princess of Wales and of course by the new King.
"Without exception the crowds were adoring, but for the Queen the excitement, love and respect were on another level. People haven’t even begun to realise how much they will miss her."
The Humber Bridge opening also resonated with Bill Walker, chair of Marketing Humber, with a visit to BP Saltend also part of her day. He said: “It was with the deepest sorrow that we learned of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Humber region will have fond and vivid memories of the Queen’s visits during her reign including, of course, the official opening of the Humber Bridge. The thoughts and best wishes of all at marketing Humber, and those of our valued member organisations, are with the royal family at this saddest of times.”
Siemens Gamesa, host of that final industry visit, said the passing "is extremely sad and we offer our sincere condolences". “Her Majesty officially opened our Hull blade factory in 2017, where her portrait sits proudly in our reception and we thank her for 70 years of service to the country,” a spokesperson said. Five years on from the visit it is now doubling in size.
Clark MacFarlane, who welcomed her that day, said: "I had the pleasure to take her round the SGRE facility in Hull in 2017. Her passion for all things mechanical and seeing women in an engineering company came over strongly. But her joy in speaking to all my colleagues and especially her humour during our time together was what I remember most.
"God bless the Queen, you were a role model in being a loyal servant, with a smile for all. Thank you. "
The High Sheriff of East Riding, Jacky Bowes, said: “As the first day dawns with a new King, HRH Charles III, we remember with admiration, huge respect and enormous thanks, the dedicated service and devotion to our country, of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family at this very sad time.”
On the South Bank, the Queen had visited Grimsby Docks in 1958, Scunthorpe's British Steel twice in 1958 and 1974, and opened the £20 million BOC plant at Stallingborough in 1993.
The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Tim Strawson, founding chair of Scunthorpe-based industrial door manufacurer Bradbury Group, said: "The Queen’s passing is an event of great magnitude to us all, and I'm sure the people of Lincolnshire will want to pay their respects."
'She radiated dignity'
One of Grimsby’s most decorated business leaders has paid a personal tribute.
Sean Ramsden MBE, chief executive of Ramsden International, leads a company holding three Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, with his own investiture recognising work in global trade.
King Charles, then as prince, led his ceremony following the 2020 recognition, but through the accolades for his firm’s grocery exporting achievements he had met Her Majesty twice previously.
Mr Ramsden said: “She was obviously an amazing woman, who will be greatly remembered.
“I think she became part of our national consciousness. I am sure Charles will be a great king, but she leaves an amazing legacy and some incredible shoes to fill.”
Ramsden International, an employer of more than 100 headquartered in Adam Smith Street, won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade in 2004, 2009 and 2012.
Recalling the prestigious visits to the seat of the monarchy, he said: “I was fortunate to have the opportunity to meet her twice following our Queen’s Award for Enterprise wins, with garden parties at Buckingham Palace, and I remember her as having such an incredible presence, yet kind, and charming with the ability to put everyone at ease.
“She radiated dignity.”
