Smith & Nephew, the global medical technology business founded in Hull, is today announcing its backing for Hull UK City of Culture 2017.
Hundreds of Smith & Nephew employees based at its Hessle Road site joined in celebrations to mark the company becoming a major partner to Hull 2017. They gathered to hear CEO and Director of Hull 2017, Martin Green, speak about the partnership and created a human mosaic incorporating both logos (see photos).
Olivier Bohuon, Chief Executive Officer of Smith & Nephew, says of this partnership: “The city of Hull holds a special place in the history of Smith & Nephew. Supporting the Hull UK City of Culture 2017 is a significant opportunity to reinforce our close links with the community that founded our global company, to contribute to a lasting legacy that will raise the profile of this region, and to engage our own employees in a year of exciting and meaningful events.”
Martin Green comments: “It’s great to see Smith & Nephew, a global firm that is part of the very fabric of Hull, backing the UK City of Culture as a major partner.
“I’d also like to thank the company’s employees for coming out in force to support Hull 2017. Smith & Nephew’s backing will help us to deliver a 365-day creative programme that is also rooted in Hull, but absolutely global in ambition.
“This is a further demonstration of confidence in Hull and in the UK City of Culture. I’m delighted with the support that businesses large and small have shown for Hull 2017 so far, and look forward to welcoming more.”
Founded in Hull 160 years ago by Thomas James Smith, the company has grown from a Whitefriargate pharmacy to a global supplier of advanced medical devices with 15,000 employees. During the First World War, the firm specialised in the supply of field dressings, and now manufactures pioneering products used by healthcare professionals in more than 100 countries.
Today, the Hull Smith & Nephew site manufactures world-leading wound management products and has recently undergone a £50m investment. The company is committed to recruiting and retaining employees in Hull and, through this partnership, is proud to be offering employees the opportunity to be part of Hull’s year as UK City of Culture.
Smith & Nephew join other companies large and small that are supporting Hull 2017 UK City of Culture. Today’s announcement comes as Hull Business Week kicks off and businesses are being reminded they can still get involved in Hull 2017, including joining the Business Club.
For details or interview opportunities, please contact Ben McKnight, director of communications at Hull 2017 at ben.mcknight@hull2017.co.uk, or Tanya Childs, Corporate Brand Director at Smith & Nephew on 01482 673857.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Smith & Nephew
Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business dedicated to helping healthcare professionals improve people's lives. With leadership positions in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Advanced Wound Management, Sports Medicine and Trauma & Extremities, Smith & Nephew has around 15,000 employees and a presence in more than 100 countries. Annual sales in 2015 were more than $4.6 billion. Smith & Nephew is a member of the FTSE100 (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN).
For more information about Smith & Nephew, please visit our website www.smith-nephew.com, follow @SmithNephewplc on Twitter or visit SmithNephewplc on Facebook.com.
About Hull UK City of Culture 2017
Hull secured the title of UK City of Culture 2017 in November 2013. Hull is only the second city to hold the title, and the first in England. The vision of the Hull 2017 Culture Company, the delivery organisation of the project, is “to deliver 365 days of transformative culture in 2017 through a range of diverse and high-profile events and projects”. Following on from the Olympics and Paralympics, Commonwealth Games and the Tour de France in Yorkshire, Hull 2017 is the next major event in the nation’s cultural calendar.
The Culture Company is an independent organisation with charitable status, funded both publicly and privately. It has an £18m funding target, with key contributions coming from: Principal Partners - Arts Council England, BBC, Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Yorkshire Water, KWL, KCOM, the University of Hull, Spirit of 2012 and the Heritage Lottery Fund; Major Partners – Sewell Group, BP, the British Council, Wykeland Group, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, MKM and Smith & Nephew.
Hull 2017’s International Partners are: Aarhus, Denmark, European Capital of Culture 2017; Reykjavik, Iceland; Rotterdam, The Netherlands; and Freetown, Sierra Leone (twinned with Hull).
Useful links for background information on Hull, the UK City of Culture bid and the UK City of Culture programme:
- www.hull2017.co.uk
- www.visithullandeastyorkshire.com
- www.gov.uk/government/policies/supporting-vibrant-and-sustainable-arts-and-culture/supporting-pages/uk-city-of-culture-programme
Hull 2017 Business Club
The Hull 2017 Business Club is a fantastic partnership opportunity for local businesses to position themselves as helping to deliver Hull 2017 and its legacy. By joining this collective group of aspirational businesses you’ll have use of a Business Club mark until 2020; Quarterly Business Club Forum Meetings and networking events; Inclusion in all our four programme guides; website and social media reach; Opportunity to network with leaders and Hull 2017 Partners; a comprehensive Corporate Hospitality programme and allocation of free tickets across the year. Get in touch directly with one of our Development Managers, Louise Babych at louise.babych@hull2017.co.uk to find out more.