We welcome new board members and a new partner

Hull-based arts organisation Absolutely Cultured is delighted to announce the appointment of two new board members and a new corporate partner, supporting its ambition to play a leading role in Hull’s future.

Georgia Allenby and Ben Norman have recently taken up their roles as members of the board while Hull-based legal firm Rollits LLP recently signed a three-year partnership agreement to support the company.

Local business woman and tourism expert Georgia Allenby is the director of Hideout Hotel, and design and marketing manager of her family’s property business, Allenby Commercial. Georgia is passionate about showcasing what Hull has to offer, from its historic quirks to the innovative businesses popping up across the city.

Georgia said: “2017 was a huge year for businesses like ours, it shone a much-needed light on Hull, and left residents and business owners no choice but to talk about ourselves to the world (something that us Northerners don’t often do). As a result, we continue to confidently welcome curious visitors from far and wide to explore our city, many of whom are now frequent visitors. It demonstrates that 2017 was just the start for Hull, and I’m thrilled to be involved in continuing and strengthening the arts and culture offer throughout Hull and beyond.”

Experienced Bank of England official Ben Norman has also joined the team offering his risk and governance expertise. Currently Ben is working in the Prudential Regulation Authority part of the bank. Ben’s father was raised in Hull and Ben has maintained a close connection to the city. Since childhood Ben’s passion for the arts has been rooted in music.

Ben said: “I’ve been looking for the right opportunity to join the Board of an organisation that is going places, and with my close family connection to the city and my deep love of culture, this seemed like the perfect fit. As the city builds on the success of 2017, I hope to bring an outside perspective to Absolutely Cultured’s Board and to play my part in realising the ambition to make Hull’s energised arts scene a permanent fixture both for the local community and beyond.”

Rollits LLP has long been a proud supporter of the city and its artistic ambitions and cultural development. The law firm was founded in the city’s Old Town and is the place it has stayed, with Hull’s people and businesses providing a strong foundation for it to grow over the last 175 years. As a Hull 2017 partner, the firm experienced a different kind of energy as it opened its High Street doors and played host to creative workshops, focus group sessions and meetings. An energy they hope to emulate in the years to come.

Marketing and Client Relations Director at Rollits LLP, Pat Coyle, said: “We love the energy of this place, its unpretentiousness and it’s a city like no other, where everyone works together with a shared ambition – to make Hull a success. Last year showed that if everyone collaborates, magic can happen. Change doesn’t happen overnight and while so much has been achieved over these last few years, we are hopeful for what is to come. Hull’s light is shining bright and we want to keep that illumination long into the future.”

Chair of Absolutely Cultured, Lee Corner, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Georgia, Ben and Rollits to our team as we continue to bring ambitious, surprising, compelling and artistic work to Hull. This first year for Absolutely Cultured has seen some great work brought to the city and we’re excited for our next event – Urban Legends: Northern Lights – as we finish the year with sights and sounds that will be remembered for many years to come. We’re confident the support Georgia, Ben and Rollits will give us will help us continue on our journey to commission and produce more world-class programming.”